One, Two, Three [Day 1, Mid-Evening]

[Marqus Forrester]

"You're younger. Bolder. Easier on the eye." He smiled. "Old fella was called Myrcusio, or something like that. Seemed to know what you were going to do before you did. Full of advice he was. Jovial too, great singing voice."

The spearman's words drew his attention. "Nothing quite like a cavalry charge! Nice, so are you here at Ashford for the joust?"

[Alessia]

There wasn't a verbal response, and though she looked away there was some intangible thing about the way she stood that one could just tell she had rolled her eyes again.

"I may be bold, milord," she said looking to the Northman. "But I have never met anything bolder than a Braavosi man. Fearless to a fault."

[Davelyn Sand]

"I'm not sure what your issue with me is Alessia. But if you engage in attempts at ribbing and friendly conversation with eyerolling your entire life it may be difficult to find friends. And life is far more fun with more friends,". Davelyn says with a warm smile.

[Marqus Forrester]

Well that made for one introduction.

"Alessia, right. Well this fella said you don't meet many old Braavosi because most get themselves killed off in some duel or other." He shrugged. "Anyway, it's one of the great things about coming to a tourney like this. Meeting new people, making new friends, like Ser Spear here, and getting to see some fighting styles you wouldn't have otherwise."

[Alessia]

Not wishing to cross down the path Davelyn's like of conversation would bring them she focused on the other. Allowing Davelyn to follow suit.

"That is my intent, sparring against warriors such as Ser Davelyn Sand here is almost entirely my reason for visiting."

[Marqus Forrester]

Aha, that's two. "Nice to meet you both then, Alessia, Ser Davelyn. So you're here to match blades with all these different weapons? Great, you'll be busy then! Did you come here from from across the sea, or were you taught in Westeros?" He seemed genuinely curious.

[Alessia]

"I traveled to Braavos when I was young, it was there that I met the man who would come to be my instructor and teach me swordplay," she answered, a light smile on her lips.

[Davelyn Sand]

"There are a lot of warriors here. I'm glad to see women in the north taking on that role though," he says with a smile. "It is far more common in Dorne. And I was starting to believe I'd never see such again without visiting home. I'm glad that Braavos at least seems to like the idea."

[Alessia]

"My instructor did at least," she said glancing back to Davelyn, "anyone else who had a problem with it was free to challenge me to a duel"

There was a sharpness, a hint of danger to what she said but it was only part of the tale, a reminder she made with pleasant smile she wore returning.

"There were at least a few," she said lightly, as part of a bit of fun.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I'll never understand men that take issue with women warriors. I say let a person be who they wish to, at least within the bounds of responsibilities," Davelyn says with a nod. "You will make it work for you," he says with a smirk to her.

[Marqus Forrester]

Marqus shrugged. "It's tradition. Get enough folk to see things your way and maybe you'll change it. With a lot of grumbling, and probably a fair amount of spilt blood."

He chuckled. "Then again, some folks are just too stubborn to change. My people, we still worship the Old Gods."

[Alessia]

Taking a step back, Alessia looked over the two men for a second. "The Dornishman is a dreamer and the Northman is content enough to joke along well enough to entertain the fantasy," she said with a slight smirk, albeit still calling them out for their rather uncommon thoughts as to this.

[Marqus Forrester]

"Aye, I'm a second son. Pretty content to earn myself some glory and let folks get on with their thing, whatever it is." He shrugged. "If the North felt the same I'm pretty sure my sister would be a fighter too. But it doesn't, so she isn't."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Well, you don't dedicate yourself to the service of a family that sacrificed for you own, and become a Dornish knight, without having romantic dreams and tendencies about the world. But then, I did grow up in a place where love, dreams and happiness are encouraged," he replies with a wide smile. "And I would encourage as much in others."

[Alessia]

"You are both outstanding gentlemen," she said off a sigh of a breath. Finding this little bit of conversation to be getting to the point of exhaustion.

[Marqus Forrester]

"Well that's kind of you. From what he just said it sounds like Ser Davelyn here's the outstanding one and I've got some catching up to do." He shrugged. "It was nice to meet you both, better get back to my training eh?"

Marqus offered a hand in case either of them were willing to shake it.

[Davelyn Sand]

Davelyn does shake the man's hand and gives a nod as well. "Very kind of both of you really. But we all try our best and do what we can."

[Alessia]

"Spar off with me," she said, looking the man over quick. "You won't get very much out of it alone."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Go for it," he says to Marqus taking a step back as he encourages the bout.

[Marqus Forrester]

"I'm looking forward to seeing you joust Ser Davelyn, after all this." He gave the man a grin and was going to work on a few routines when Alessia asked him to spar with her.

"Alright then! Happy to." Slipping his shield on to his arm he secured it and drew his blade.

[Alessia]

Moving some paces away, Alessia drew her Braavosi blade along with the dagger at it's side. Rolling her shoulders to get out the stiffness from merely standing around and looked over to the Forrester once before dropping into a prepared stance.

"Whenever you are ready, milord."

[Septon Cyrus]

Interesting, so they were already practicing, or...play fighting? No, that seemed far too juvenile. Sparring, he supposed was the term. It made sense of course, Cyrus thought as he approached the area, watching with some curious interest; for many of these fighters they were likely some of the best they knew in their respective areas of Westeros.

It was probably an uncommon experience to run into others so similar to themselves from all across the seven kingdoms, and maybe beyond given the odd blade and distinct lack of armor the young woman employed. Foreign, certainly, though his training was not in the blade or history of combat so he knew not from where.

For now, Cyrus allowed himself to stand and watch where, in the coming days, much of the combat would be taking place.

[Marqus Forrester]

Marqus nodded, taking on a more serious expression. He'd seen what Braavosi could do and he fully expected her to be fast and accurate. In real life he would begin by avoiding going up against a fencer in a one on one duel, but every sparring session was a lesson in winning the next, so why not. There was no teasing boyish smile. Just a focus on what she was doing.

"I'm ready."


D1. Sparring with Alessia. Initiative: 3d6 6 (Well played orokos, well played.)

[Alessia]

Twirling her blade about in her hand she moved about with a seemingly reckless ease about her, stepping forward with a calm movement and then forward into a thrust. With a few quick steps she was past his defenses and her blade seemed to disappear into movement.

Striking just past his shield she was careful to not pierce him, however she touched the end of her blade to his chest just below his shoulder to highlight the opening in his defense. With a brief, cocky grin she snapped her blade down and away and twirled back into place in front of him.

"First strike is mine, milord."

Day 1: One, Two, Three | Initiative, pick 4, Against Marqus: 5d6 17
[Drop 2, 15]

Day 1: One, Two, Three | First strike, pick 4, Marqus: 5d6 12
[Drop 1, 11]
Combat Defense: 17

[4 Damage before Arnor Rating Reduction]

[Marqus Forrester]

"Precision. Nice."

He noted her breathing and stance for a moment, subtly changing his own. When he advanced it was with an efficiency and economy of motion. Nothing flashy, just get the job done.

The Ironwood shield clanged off her rapier, and the sword stroke tapped to his right, batting the dagger aside as if it was not there, but was aimed elsewhere. With a surprising amount of control the blade came to a rest somewhere in her left armpit, before he removed it and readied for her return strike to finish the match.

------

D1. One, two, three. Sparring with Alessia. Round one.: 7d6k5 22

[10 damage before AR]

CD 11; 4 Health taken