A Girl, A Cell [Day 3, Early Evening]

[Alessia]

Armor taken, swords taken, she was certainly better off this morning. With the basic needs of her wound seen to the only thing she really needed right now was time, and as it would seem she would have plenty of it. Unfortunately, they had even found the dagger she had stuffed in her boot. A number of things she'd have to remember to get back later. Once all this mess cleared, and she knew it would.

Down her clothes, a loose Braavosi style tunic that had been made personally for her before her departure from Braavos. Leatherwork made to keep during her travels a lot nicer than most other types of clothing. It wasn't the prettiest but it kept it's form well enough to keep her decent and warm at night. Boots of a similar make, nothing fancy but perfectly crafted for her individual nature.

From Braavos to a Westerosi cell, and not an ounce of regret.


Leaning her head back against the stone wall she looked to the ceiling and let the light smile fall from her face. There wasn't anyone to impress, not right now.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

With his armour off there was a good chance Alessia might not recognize the man that vanquished her on the field that morning. He wore a heavy cloak in colours that matched his armour's tabard. He gave a small bow, "Your sword is interesting. It seems awfully small and slender."

[Alessia]

Hearing someone coming she pushed herself to her feet and was sure to be by the door in time to greet the man. Though she didn't recognize the face, or anything else about him, she knew the banners and she definitely knew the scent of confidence that slid off him like a hundred men she's met prior.

"I hope you didn't prick yourself with it," she said with a sly smirk she was sure to manage.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Not yet," he gave a small smile, "I have only looked them over so far. If all goes particularly poorly I will probably mount them on a wall as a curiosity." He crossed his arms, "I would rather it not come to that though. You seemed the most hesitant, but most effective, of Lord Baratheon's men in that fight. I would like to know what you think happened."

[Alessia]

"That's the trap," she points out, nearly laughing. "That way you lords and lords men talk. You think you know everything already, but you don't, you're a bit too blind to the truth of what really was going to happen there and you only see what you think you saw. So, you want me to tell you what I think happened and use that as a way to tell me how I am wrong, but I am not wrong Ser, I am quite aware of what happened, and what I've done."

"I saved a mans life today," she said, without any lack of confidence whatsoever.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"So you thought that Algood soldier was out to kill Lord Baratheon?" he said piquing and eyebrow, "I would have believed you if you had stabbed at the Dunn heir raging about with a great sword."

[Talieas Corbray]

Having stayed a few moments to speak with the guards, mostly asking about the woman's behaviour and other possessions, Tal entered the cells a short while after Ywain. Wearing a smart tunic and breeches he stops and frowns for just a moment before walking over to stand beside Ywain.

Dipping his head to the woman he looks between her and Ywain as he tries to catch up on the conversation.

"I take it she doesn't know about Lord Tyrell?" He looked thoughtful a moment before indicating himself. "I'm Ser Talieas Corbray." Tal paused so that Ywain might introduce himself if he had not already.

[Alessia]

"You should know combat as well as I, ser, stopping Derrick was an attempt to remove a man from Baratheon's side. You know well that Dunn could have finished him instead of coming after me," she leaned off so she was standing upright.

Alessia was about to continue, but then Talieas entered and he was afforded the same light smile she'd been affording Ywain as they spoke.

"I remember you, Ser."

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Fine, you had your opportunities to relent but you continued same as that Baratheon," he shrugged, "I fail to see why a Braavosi joined in in the first place however."

[Alessia]

"A Braavosi trained swordsman, I am not Braavosi, Ser," she was sure to correct him on that note. "I promised Baratheon that he would remain alive. When a sword is asked to protect, she does so. How could I trust any of you to be an honorable sort after watching what the Dunn did to that man? You all seemed a rather bit too prepared for a fight today. How am I to be sure that you had any intention of allowing Baratheon to live? Any of you?"

Alessia laughed, "Do not throw your false perceptions of what happened at me. I was there, and I saw how you gave me all the time in the world to relent while your sword was coming down for my throat."

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Lord Ashford ordered him to stand down and then ordered him taken alive. Which he was in spite of his best efforts to not give a toss about what anyone else said about the matter," He took a half step away, "If you want to be self-righteous as you rot in a cell you are welcome to it. I'm not the one in a cell for defending a bumbling murderous drunk."

[Talieas Corbray]

Tal raised a hand as he hoped to add to Ywain's comment. "We are knights and you yet live, as does Lord Baratheon. That should address those points. As for your inferring wrong - we were to practice jousting after the main lists of the day. Ask yourself how likely it would be that two knights of the Vale would be standing around there in full armour otherwise. We could hardly have foreseen the tragic death of Lord Tyrell or Lord Baratheon's moment of drunken foolishness that caused it." He looked unimpressed she had even suggested it and simply sighed, looking to his friend. Ywain was given a gentle nudge with his elbow. "Unlike this sceptical swordswoman we can at least be civil. Introduce yourself my friend." When his gaze returns back to Alessia a moment later his expression is earnest, his smile slowly returning. "Even if you do not respect the ways things are in these lands at least give some thought to your situation. Your hostility towards us and the Lord host are not going to aid you. Furthermore I would suggest such hostility is misplaced."

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

He nodded. "Of course, you are right. How forgetful of me," he gave her a bow, "Ser Ywain Kestrel."

[Alessia]

"I have offered no hostility toward Lord Ashford, Ser, and I would ask that you do not bend the truth as you see fit to add to your stunning list of actions that make you the righteous one in this situation," she replied, looking at Talieas.

"What is true is that your party descended upon Lyonel Baratheon and as far as I could see in the moment it was with the intent to kill the man who had sought my protection. A man who is son of Lord Baratheon himself. You can use whatever hindsight you wish to address that this was not the case but it was not something I could dismiss."

"As for that pompous pride you carried in with you, Ser's, you could have left it at the door if you intend to use a conversation with me to bolster your ego."

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Fine I'll not waste words with a willfully deaf woman who selectively failed to hear the commands that guided the actions of those around her. She must have been as drunk and spoiling for a fight as the man that bought her," Ywain said giving up and turning to leave.

/exit unless stopped.

[Talieas Corbray]

For a moment it looked like he would interject and try to keep Ywain there a little longer, but then his hand slowly dropped and he let his friend go. Turning back to Alessia he takes a deep breath. "Lord Ashford ordered Lord Lyonel Baratheon to stand down. Your master did not. He was then ordered to be taken in alive. Disobeying the local Lord is showing hostility toward him."

Running a hand through his hair he takes a step away, wavering between bothering to speak further or leaving as Ywain had just a few moments before. "I can only tell you I had no intent to kill Lord Baratheon, nor do I hold any ill will against the man." He spoke as persuasively as he could. "If you choose to believe me a liar then so be it. However, that you believe us pompous only shows a lack of self reflection after your own actions and word."

Crossing his arms he waits to see if she would show any sign of introspection or, perhaps, to query what he was saying without her bravado.

-----
Persuasion 13 (if you'd like a social combat then do say).

[Alessia]

"You and your man traveled to a cell to speak down on me," she said sharply. "Unless there was some other reason for your visit you've completely forgotten I don't see how your reason for coming her was to do anything but inflate your own ego by telling me what happened. I know what happened Ser and no amount of telling me otherwise would change that."

"For what it is worth, I know you did not intend harm upon Lyonel Baratheon. I knew that the moment your man did not end my life, but that doesn't matter. When it did matter, all I knew is that one of you supposed keepers of the peace slaughtered a man before everyone. After that, it didn't matter who you swore your oath to. It was I who was promised as a sword to defend the mans life, and I could not merely stand aside when I could not trust a single one of you, save the man I knew, would not end Baratheon's life given the chance."

[Talieas Corbray]

Listening to her long address patiently enough he sets his expression to impassive right from the start due to her sharp tongue and accusatory tone. That she thought so poorly of him and Ywain was disappointing, but then he reminded himself that it wasn't too important in the grand scheme of things. She'd sold her sword to the wrong man and now railed against the situation she found herself in. He pitied her. She clearly disliked society's rules and norms yet, instead of staying across the sea, for some bizarre reason she'd returned to Westeros. Alessia was a puzzle. However, it would not be this evening he tried to figure her out.

Indeed, perhaps it would not be any.

When she was done he uncrossed his arms. Taking another deep breath he spoke firmly without raising his voice. "You misjudge us and speak slanderously. I had come to say you fought well this morning, but for the wrong side, and to see why. Ser Ywain wished to see if you would acknowledge your wrong so that he could speak for your release, even return your weapons. It occurs to me that we are all fools." He gestures toward her. "Yet you are the greater and now you can remain here awaiting the Lord's judgment like the arrogant upstart wench you are. I wash my hands of you."

Rolling his shoulders languidly he turns and glides out the room without a further comment or look spared.

/ Exit

[Alessia]

"Pompous cunt."


Alessia's words followed him out off a breath, carried through with anger and distaste. What did they want her to do when they came in like they did? Talking down to her, insulting her with every look and gesture and word. Trying to tell her who she was, what she was, and what she had done. No, to all seven hells with that. What did they really expect from her? Bow and grovel to the men from the Vale who happened to best her in an unwinnable fight? No, she was better than that. Knowing who she was and what she had really done she wouldn't grovel like a beaten dog at the feet of men who have no right to thinking that they are her betters.


They weren't.

/scene