The Doctor is In [D3 EA]

[Derrick]

"I don't know if its refreshing or not..." Derrick said offering the man a faint smile. "But could you name five things about being a knight, that would make my life any better then it was now?"

[Maester Oswell]

"I can try, although not being knighted myself I too may fail to grasp many of the perks of such a station."

Oswell ponders for a moment racking his brain for any good examples.

"Well you're already making enough coin selling your sword to afford your arms and armor, so it's not much of a real financial gain. You already seem to be enjoying the security of a semi permanent place among the Algood forces given your family legacy so that's not a thing..."

"I'd say the noble ladies, but it seems you are more discerning on that front than most as well and I doubt you'd see that as a benefit. Well fuck me, I'm rather stumped."

[Derrick]

"Well... I'm mostly more discerning about the ladies because it's good sense. Most noble ladies have brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers, kinghts, or some such. Those type of men don't take too kindly to commoners, having relations with noble women."

"At least last I checked. So I avoid them. No reason to get in that type of trouble if I don't have to. There are plenty of commoner girls and whores if I want any lessons after all."

He paused. "I suppose kissing noble girls would be one of the benefits of knighthood then."

"Second question though... Can you name five bad things about being a knight?"

[Maester Oswell]

"Probably not, or at least nothing that's not already a downside to your current calling; premature death being at the top of the list. Maybe all the adminstration work if you became valued enough that your Lord appointed you to lead a banner house of your own?"

[Derrick]

"So at the very least there are more benefits then negatives." The young solider mused, though he still wasn't certain knighthood was for him. "As I can't see myself ever leading a banner house."

[Maester Oswell]

"Never saw myself stuck in this chair for the last 30 odd years neither. Fate rarely consults us on its plans, the best we can do is roll with the punches and enjoy the highlights."

[Derrick]

"Wise advice. I should probably spend a bit more time on that second part.. Enjoying the Highlights." He did to a degree, but something told him it wasn't to the degree most would. "Got any advice on that?"

[Maester Oswell]

"We each have our own pleasures we take from this life. A good glass of wine, some quiet time with a favourite book, the embrace of a beautiful, if expensive, young woman."

"What gives you the most joy? If at any given moment you're not serving Lord Algood, or training to serve him better, what is the one thing you'd want to be doing?"

[Derrick]

"Books are out of the question... I can't read after all."

"But I do like going out for drinks with the other guards." His lips curled into a smirk. "Though that's quite difficult here." Just about everywhere he went seemed to be jam packed full of nobles.

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell knew that illiteracy was a common failing of the peasantry, but he thought that a man in a position of reasonable service to a known House would have a better education that that.

"I'm sure the local guards must have some place they hang out when off duty. A barracks or something? Turn up with a small cask of ale and I think you'll have a dozen new friends in no time."

With a bite of his teeth to sever the thread, he reached into his kit to retrieve some cloth bandages.

"Just let me wrap these up and you're all done."

[Derrick]

"That sounds like a nice idea." Derrick mused with a small smile. If he noticed the Maester's thoughts about him being unable to read he didn't mind it..Most of the people the young guard chatted with couldn't read after all.

"I might do just that." As the old man started to finish up, Derrick glanced at the work. "Thank you for the time Maestar."

[Maester Oswell]

"Eh, you've been a fine patient lad. Just take it easy on the booze, I'm not sure how much blood you've lost so it's better to hydrate with water for the next few hours."

[Derrick]

He had thought wine was good for blood loss. At least tgats what he had heard. Wine and red meat. Still he waant going to argue with the Maestat.

"Water... Gotcha, I'll drink lots of it."

[Maester Oswell]

"Alright then, you should be good to go then. Do you need a hand with getting the leathers back on? Although I'd recommend something a little looser when you're not in such mortal danger."

[Derrick]

"I wouldn't mind a bit of help." Stitches made it harder to move after all. "I'll see what I can do about that as well, these leathers need some repairs anyways." He might just wear his scale, but he wasn't certain. "How much movement do you think I have by the way? I have the melee in a couple days."

[Maester Oswell]

"I'd recommend you didn't. The wounds will open up again, I can almost guarantee it. But if thats the worst that happens, I'll be grateful."

"They won't slow you down or impede you hardly at all by the time the melee comes around. But they will need more attention after such a strenuous activity. It means they'll probably scar up as well."

[Derrick]

"Well, that's something at least. I can live with a few scars, after all." The Maester back home didn't have much time to spend stitching soldiers. "From what I hear the ladies like them anyways."

"I'll go easy until then though, don't want to rip them if I can avoid it."

[Maester Oswell]

"If the worst does happen, I'll be around, probably when the melee comes about I won't be far away at all. Now get out of here."

He swats at the soldier like a fly.

"An old man needs his lunch before the next bloodied body finds its way in here."

[Derrick]

"Enjoy your lunch Maestar" Derrick replied, offering the man a brief bow before leaving the tent.

/exit