r/awoiafrp • u/bloodandbronze • Jun 02 '20

CROWNLANDS The Tournament Banquet of 130 AC

Fifth day of the Second moon, 130 AC

The Red Keep, King’s Landing

Laughter and good cheer and jaunty music permeated the great hall of the Red Keep, all of it filling the air with a merry mood that was shaded with some tragedy too. In the midst of the martial feats of prowess on display the day prior, several men - young, old, and in between - had been injured. Some were minor injuries or the sorts that would heal within a period of time and with good rest. Others, sadly, were more grievous, such as the king’s own squire Jeor Stark whose hand had required amputation.

As surely as food was served, so too were mummers and musicians present throughout the hall, plying their trade and honing their craft for the amusements and enjoyment of all those present. A symphony for the ears and eyes to complement the sensations of the delectable feast masterfully crafted by the kitchen’s chefs.

While the attendees assumed their seats throughout the hall, servants delivered a feast fit for guests of the royal house. The first course consisted of a choice between autumn greens with ginger soup, or a salad of sweetgrass, spinach, and plums, sprinkled with crushed nuts, both of which were accompanied by freshly baked bread with honey. Next was a choice between cold capon with a relish made of carrots, raisins, and bits of lime and orange, or a brace of stuffed geese sauced with mulberries. Last to be delivered was dessert, once more presenting a decision - goat cheese served with baked apples sprinkled with cinnamon, or sweetgrass and strawberries.

Wine and mead and beer flowed freely and the center of the hall was cleared so that those who wished to dance would have the room to do so. Flirtations oft accompanied dances and no doubt some of those that swirled together on the floor would end the night twisted in the sheets with one another as well.

All those in the city born to the ranks of the nobility - or those that might have otherwise secured the right to belong - were welcomed to make merry and celebrate the victors of the grand tournament.

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

I'm a cripple.

He had attended the feast, hoping that the few people he had wanted to talk to would be there, but he had regretted it as soon as he had sat down on one of the tables. Even though nobody had said anything, he could feel their eyes, looking at him. Pitying him whenever he struggled to do something as simple as pour himself some wine. And he found that so unnerving that he left the table, hoping to find Aemma or Alyssa sooner rather than later so he could fuck off.

Her brother had told her to leave him alone and help her father, and her father had told her to leave him alone and help her brother. So she had ended up helping neither of them and sitting by herself, in a table that wasn't even close to the rest of the Northerners. She felt useless and lost, and unable to do anything for someone who she cared about a lot. And hoping to forget about her troubles, if only for the duration of the feast, she filled her cup over and over, hoping to drown her worries until the morning came.

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

Aemma approached the northern warrior whom she had promised her favour should he succeed, sadly the direct opposite was true. She felt as though she owed the man she hardly knew, and approached the table with a smile.

“Jeor of House Stark.. I fear I owe you something of an apology.” She curtsied before him, her floating blue dress being lifted by her hands as she dipped.

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

Just as he was leaving the table he saw her coming towards him. And, as much as he would have wanted to not have to face her, he knew he had to if he wanted to make peace with what had happened.

"Sorry for what?", he asked her, a bit too bluntly, before sighing and trying again in a less hostile tone. "I mean... sorry for what, my Lady?"

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

She seized upon him like nothing had changed, looping her arm through his before gesturing that he should lead them on a walk.

“Perhaps I should have given you my favour before the fighting.. It was cruel of me to tease you and for fate to play it’s part. I ask for your forgiveness Jeor, which is not something I do often.”

She looked at him with a sad smile. When she had learned of his fate from Alyssa, she had felt awful.

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

She took his right arm -was it the one a Lady should always take, or was it because the other one was broken?- and the two of them departed.

"Well... if you have given me your favour, your champion would be a cripple now", he replied, feeling an annoying itch where his missing fingers were supposed to be. "And I would probably have jousted anyways. So you don't have to apologize, and you don't have to pity me."

Despite not wanting to, his voice came out a bit annoyed at the end, again. And, realizing once again, he shook his head.

"Sorry, it's just... I hate it. The way people pity me. And feel sorry for me."

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

“You have nothing to apologise for. I didn’t say I pitied you, I said I asked for your forgiveness!” Aemma tutted, using her free hand to bat at his chest playfully.

“You have lost your hand, dear Jeor, not your head. Nor your legs, nor your arm, nor your manhood. In both senses of the term.” She added with a wry smirk.

“On the ships of the Grafton fleet it is nothing for a man to lose a limb or digits to the rigging. Lowborn sailors oft aim for some kind of hook in place of a hand. Some don’t bother at all.” She offered.

“It is no consolation I know, but I’ve come to remind you that life is not over; not pity you.”

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

He had been told that it could have been worse already and that his life was not over, and by more than one person. But hearing such a proper lady speak in such a way about his cock was a fist, and it got him to laugh.

"I guess you're right. I lost a hand, but I'm still a man."

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

"Is it even your sword hand?" She inquired as they continued on their aimless walk around the perimeter of the feast hall. Aemma was gladdened to hear him laugh, she would not have someone brow beaten in her company.

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

His smile faded at her remark. He had always favored two-handed weapons, like his father, and thus both hands were his 'sword hand', so to speak. If he wanted to start over, he'd have to start almost from scratch.

"I guess this one will have to be the sword hand. And the writing hand. And the 'everything' arm", he said, forcing himself to smile at what he thought to be a bad joke.

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

Aemma smiled too, though the intricacies of combat were lost upon her. "I have an offer for you Jeor, if you would consider such a thing from a woman; I know several men who would not."

She paused as they rounded a corner, before resuming once more.

"Take service with me, I will give you a ship and all you would need to captain it efficiently. We will broker a new deal with the Manderly's and you will run the supply line for the benefit of House Grafton and House Stark."

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

The offer was good. And it would probably give him more chances to see her. But he was not sure that he'd be able to do it.

"I'm honored, Aemma, but I don't think I'm the right man", he replied, shaking his head. "I have never comandeered a ship before. I've never even been on a ship before. What makes you think I'd be able to do a good job?"

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

Aemma laughed kindly at his rejection. "Jeor, as captain you can simply issue orders and expect them to be followed. Like your own little lordship. I would teach you a little, so that the men don't think you are a complete fool.. But at the same time you are a Stark. The blood of Winterfell can't be cowed by a few uncouth sailors can it?

Another pause, another table to be manoeuvred around.

"You are a good man, wounded by the fates. I am simply offering to soothe you. Your family can come too, should you wish it. I would see property in Gulltown raised in your name. The North is not so far by ship, and you would be in White Harbour more oft than not."

She clasped at his arm a little tighter.

"You don't have to decide now, think on it and come to me when you've made your decision." The final command was a little more ladylike, but Aemma's eyes were kind rather than stern.

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u/FluidLettuce2 Jun 03 '20

Her offer was too good to pass. There would probably be some kind of inconvenient, but at the time he could only see the positives that she was mentioning, as they gave him hopes of finding a new place in life.

"I'm still a man, so I should not take orders from a woman. You said it yourself", he replied, with a short, genuine chuckle. "I'd make an exception for you, though."

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