Rise and Shine [D1 EM]

[Davelyn Sand]

The sworn Dornishman to Cedric was awake early, and doing some morning stretches. He had his spear in hand and looked like he was ready to start morning drill and practice. He silently hoped to himself that he would not wake anyone as he made his way from his sleeping area.

[House Kellington]

Sat in a chair, outside one of the tents, legs crossed, cup of tea in hand, was Cedric Kellington. Facing east, as you'd have it, watching the rising sun, with a sort of meditative state surrounding him. His eyes half-slitted, his breathing slow, one might mistake him for sleeping, save for the cup rising to his lips now and then.

[Davelyn Sand]

Glad that he hadn't woken the man, Davelyn greeted his lord. "Good morning milord. Early start then?" he gave a bow to the man, his tone respectful.

[House Kellington]

His eyes opened at the voice, and Cedric's thin lips curled into a slightly lopsided smile. Small, for what it was worth, afterall.

"I make it my habit when travelling to rise early. I find I sup inspiration closer to dawn than at any other time. And you as well? In search of inspiration? Tasked in bettering yourself?" He motions a cock of his head toward the spear in Davelyn's hand.

Then sips his tea.

[Davelyn Sand]

"Always seeking to improve myself, milord. It would not do for you to have a Dornish warrior that didn't master the spear," he replies with a nod and a warm smile. "This tournament will be my opportunity to show the skills of those you inspire loyalty in, milord."

[House Kellington]

"The spear is all good and well, of course I'll be watching when you are challenged. Perhaps one morning I will challenge you to a wrestle, should you be wary, then might you be ready." He waxed poetically as he warmed himself in the rising sun's path.

[Davelyn Sand]

"Oh, I have no doubts about your skill milord," he says with a nod. "And I'd be honored for the opportunity. But you must forgive me for hoping to one day be your superior in skill-at-arms. That is the best way I know to serve you... to be ready to defeat any enemy you require of me." His smile is warm and honest.

[House Kellington]

"Those who serve me are taken care of, this is known," he sipped again from his cup, and let his gaze scan back toward the Dornish bastard, as if finally bothered to size the other man up. Cedric's claims of besting him in a wrestle were a given fact for the lord, and he would admit Davelyn could best him with a spear - if only because Cedric himself refused to wield one. Therefore, by default, the Dornishman was better. Cedric did not like the taste of that, and washed it down with tea.

"You're participating in the tourney, then?" It was as much an assumption as a question.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I am. A young man has to start somewhere," he says to his sworn lord. "And I would like to do what I can to bring what glory I can to your House's name. It is, of course, not as glorious as a Kellington them self doing so, but I only seek to honor your family with my service."

[House Kellington]

"Of course not," Cedric agreed flatly, Davelyn was a bastard after all. But he supposed he meant well. He was here, after all. And he was willing. That meant for something.

"I look forward to seeing you progress in the tourney. We'll see where you go from there."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Of course milord. As always, my life for yours. I am glad to be of service however I can." He would have broached the subject of marriage with him, if Davelyn had any skill at arranging such things. But as it stood, he felt Cedric would just consider such efforts pointless and silly from a warrior bastard from Dorne.

[House Kellington]

"I'm hopeful we'll find a use for you," Cedric let his gaze drift away once more, not giving much thought to what Davelyn might be thinking, himself. For as far as Cedric was concerned regarding marriage, it was a political arrangement he had run from as long as he could, and now it just a matter of course.

[Davelyn Sand]

Davelyn gave the lord a bow, smiling pleasantly. That was what he wanted from Cedric. To find a way to make use of him, to allow him to serve capably. Whatever Cedric needed from him Davelyn would do. If he asked him to learn a different weapon, or to lay down arms entirely, or charge an enemy army by himself, Davelyn wouldn't question it. He doesn't know if Cedric truly understood that about him, they did not interact much... but it was true.

[House Kellington]

After an uncomfortable silence that spanned a pregnant pause, the sun creeping up over the horizon, Cedric blew a small puff of air out of his lungs and set the cup of tea in his lap.

"I suppose you're aware of my need to find a wife?" He said with an air of disdain.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I am aware, and I will do my best to assist with that search if you ask it of me. I had not assumed to do so as I'm not educated in political matchmaking, but I will do all I can to see your desire met," he replies with a nod.

[House Kellington]

"Yes, that." He seemed to pale. "Assume you were in my position. I know it's a stretch of the imagination to see yourself as a Lord of my stature, but do try. What would you look for? Where would you even start? I will look at the noble ladies who have come to this tourney, but to be perfectly honest with you, they all look the same to me."

[Davelyn Sand]

"If I were a lord of your stature, I imagine that my concerns would be more balanced in how happy I was and with how that marriage might help my house?" he says with a hint of contemplation in his voice. "If the lord of the house cannot find a measure of happiness in his match then that would not be good for the house I imagine. But then, making a choice based purely on happiness that provides little to the house would have the impact of not strengthening the house and thus his own means and power. It is a very complex problem to navigate, and I do not envy you the difficulty of such a decision. My personal thoughts would also be that, in order to make that decision you likely should know the potential matches well, and not only from your own personal interactions. Have your people meet with them and take their measure so you know how they interact with others and not just you, allowing you to judge with the most information possible."

He was a bit wordy, and he thought he made a fair bit of sense. He simply hoped nothing he said offended or put off Cedric.

[House Kellington]

"And you would consider yourself one of my people? Very well. I have no intention of marrying a woman who does not make me happy." It's no secret that Cedric takes her personal happiness very seriously, after all. He's nearly run the house into the ground catering to his whims.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I am sworn to you milord," he says with a nod. "And it is not because I was starving and needed to find a place to stay during winter. I chose to leave the palace in Sunspear because I believe in House Kellington. Because your house gave so much for my previous house. Until the day you say you do not wish my service I am yours Lord Kellington." His words re-affirm his devotion to Cedric and the house.

He then addresses the issue of a wife. "I will keep my eyes open for women not only of proper breeding but of charm as well then. Those that will understand that you desire a happy home. I can only hope that my judgement will meet with milord's standards."

[House Kellington]

"Of course! I demand only the very best from my men!" He seems inspired, and a smile grows upon thin lips. He sits up straighter then.

But back to issue of a wife, Davelyn treads, and Cedric despairs inwardly, seeming put off at the whole idea.

"And the very best from my wife as well, as I will have to tolerate her until the end of our days."

[Davelyn Sand]

When he seemed pleased with him for that moment Davelyn's own eyes lit up with pride. But again his own emotions mirrored Cedrics own when the prospect of marriage darkened his features once more. "I will endeavor to do meet your exacting standards. In whatever you ask of me Lord Cedric. I am here to serve House Kellington in whatever manner I can. Do not hesitate to let me know if you need anything."

[House Kellington]

"Fantastic."

He is less than thrilled, but his eyes open again to regard the Dornishman, and at least Davelyn's words are pleasing to Cedric's highbrow demands.

"And I will endeavour to engage with whomever you challenge me to consider in my search for a wife, provided they meet the standards I've grown accustomed to."

[Davelyn Sand]

"I thank you for your consideration milord," he replies with a smile. "Did you have any other concerns you wished me to see to? I am glad to be of service in whatever manner you see fit."

[House Kellington]

Cedric looks down at his dwindled tea in his cup, and sighs dramatically.

"My cup is empty. You could be a dear and fill it for me?"

[Davelyn Sand]

"Absolutely milord," he says with a nod, apparently not considering himself too good to be a server. He rests his spear against the tent and then moves to take the cup so that he can refill it.