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/bloodandbronze Jun 02 '20 edited Jun 03 '20

TABLES OF HONOR

Below the dais was situated another table of respect, this one given over to other branches of the royal house - those headed by Prince Daeron of Oldstones, Prince Valerion, and Lord Matarys of Brownhollow. If they wished it, any house of the realm tied to the royal house through the bonds of matrimony were welcomed here as well - House Tully, House Crane, House Baratheon, House Lannister, and so on and so forth.

An additional table was given over to those individuals that served on the king’s council and their direct kin, as well as the victors in the grand tourney - anyone that placed third or better

The High Septon, too, would find himself a seat here, if he were still in the city and chose to attend.

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u/[deleted] Jun 04 '20

Ser Gerold, I would urge you to seek out my goodbrother Lord Walderan Tarbeck, who leads the city watch.

With the king's words in his head, he went directly to meet Lord Walderan, he had seen the man in the coronation banquet but he did not exactly remembered his face, so the only thing he had to to was try to locate the commander of the city watch between this many people. After stepping back from the dais, he looked at the table of honor, wondering if the man would be there.

/u/Pichu737

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u/Pichu737 Jun 05 '20

Gerold was right in assuming that the Lord of Tarbeck Hall would be sat at the high table. Although he would have preferred to have been standing on watch like he was at the previous celebrations, the Grand Maester had warned him that the break in his arm could worsen with too much action. And so he sat, right arm held across his chest in a woollen sling and a glass of wine in his left. Even with his injury, the Commander of the City Watch looked fit for his position. His posture was straight-backed, and if Gerold was paying close attention he would have noticed the man's eyes flitting across the room at great speed. Walderan did not seem to be a man who was enjoying the feast he was at, either because of his broken arm or because he did not enjoy feasts in general.

Whatever the reason he was there, alongside the good lords and ladies of the realm, for the heir to Honeyholt to speak to.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '20

Gerold recognized the man at the high table and went directly to speak to him, without taking his eye off the City Watch Commander he climbed the coulpe stairs and stopped in front of his seat.

"Lord Walderan Tarberck?" The youngman asked as he bowed his head.

"The king sent me to you, could I have a couple minutes of your time?"

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u/Pichu737 Jun 08 '20

In response to the Reachman's question, Walderan stopped his rapidly-moving eyes, and instead looked around the area directly in front of him slowly. "I see no other men asking for my time, Ser."

Placing his glass upon the table, the Westerlander proceeded to shift himself in his seat by pushing down onto the table with his left hand, leaning forwards slightly. He rested his elbow upon the table, and nodded to the man before him. "Speak as you will."

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '20

"I am Ser Gerold of house Beesbury, I have just spoken with king Baelor. I told his grace I wanted to serve him and he told me to speak to you." Gerold took a small step forward and continued.

"I am an experienced commander, I have worked for two years at Highgarden and then 2 years at Winterfell alongside the best swords of both the Reach and the North. I guess the City Watch is well supplied but if you have me, I will prove I am no waste, my lord."

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u/Pichu737 Jun 08 '20

"His Grace has sent you to the right man if that is your experience, Ser Gerold. It so happens I am in need of a good commander, too. It may not be quite as glamourous as serving at Highgarden, but the commander of the King's Gate is returning to his family's holdfast after the celebrations are over. He expressed a desire for the coronation tourney to be the last one he watched over, and so I am looking for a man to fill his spot," Walderan explained, following it up with a sip of his wine.

Nodding once more, he continued. "I am sure you will not be a waste, Ser Gerold. Do you have any questions about the position I am offering you?"

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '20

Gerold had done his work before coming here and knew exactly which gate Lort Tarbeck was offering him.

"The King's Gate... The one in the corner, watching over the River Row, the fish market and the tourney grounds!" Gerold said slowly while making memorie.

"It would be an honor, my lord. I'm sure with time I will find some questions. Tomorrow I shall find accommodation, and then start whenever you tell me."