Bounds of Ambition 6

<Ambitious_GM> The year is 276 after Aegon's Conquest...
<Ambitious_GM> The evening has brought the Hosgavels, their retainers, and their guests to the main hall for supper. The King's Hand, however, remains conspicuously absent.
<Ambitious_GM> A first course of small game, boiled vegetables, and oils is served. Unsure, the servants of the Argent Keep place a serving at the empty head of the table.
* Averden_Gavel rubs at his temples. "If you must, Cos," he whispers to Kastlan, "send a serving hand up to the tower to ask if he would care to sup."
<Kastlan> "Do you think I should accompany the servant?" Kastlan asks quietly.
<Averden_Gavel> "No," whispers Lord Gavel, harshly. "Do not."
<Kastlan> "I'm the host. He's being disrespectful." Kastlan says defiantly.
<Averden_Gavel> "Tywin Lannister has earned the right to do as he will, Kastlan," says the Lord Gavel as he cuts a portion of the game. "As your liege and as your family, I will say this: eat and be content that his presence casts down upon us."
* Kastlan slowly finishes his glass or Arbor wine. "Don't give me that, cos. It's not that I don't disagree with you. It's the principle. You'd feel the same way if we were at the Granite Keep."
<Averden_Gavel> "No, Kastlan, no I would not," he hisses in a low voice. "Now heed me, and send one of your maidservants to inquire -- and eat, and be happy."
<Ambitious_GM> All the while, Ser Kevan converses with Eva Stone on the state of the roads into the Riverlands, while the Hosgavel children quietly plot to rid their plates of the unwanted vegetables.
* Kastlan beckons over the nearest servant and instructs her to bring Lord Lannister his sup. "And more of the Arbor Gold, please!" he says as he glares at Lord Gavel.
<Ambitious_GM> "My Lord," the servant bows.
* Averden_Gavel turns his attention to Kyal and Brinna, and begins enthusiastically extolling the virtues of eating greens to the children.
<Ambitious_GM> Kyal takes Lord Gavel's advice as a test of bravery, and promptly takes on the challenge. His sister follows his example shortly thereafter.
<Ambitious_GM> The servants then emerges once again in the hall, giving a subtle nod to Lord Hosgavel -Lord Tywin appears to have accepted his supper. She brings a jug of water up to the maester's tower as the second course is brought in. Pickled eggs, with fresh greens, and a wheel of cheese along with a second serving of Arbor wine.
<Averden_Gavel> Averden softly claps his hands and smiles for the children. "There, that's good. See? Once you've eaten it, you realize the dread is but a trick of the mind. Life is filled with such things."
<Ambitious_GM> "These mercenaries," Ser Kevan asks, leaning across the table. "Where did you acquire them, Lord Gavel?"
* Averden_Gavel gives one last smile to the children and looks to Kevan. "The company itself came from Braavos, though they were in Lannisport not a few moons past. I had a need for hands, so I sent a man to summon them."
<Ambitious_GM> "And how do these foreigners fare, in the eyes of a Westerosi warrior?" he turns to inquire of Ser Hoster.
* Ser_Hoster turns to Ser Kevan "I have not encountered a water dancer previously, and I hope I never have to meet one on the battlefield" "As for the rest of his band you would be hard pressed to find a more eager band of fighting men."
* Averden_Gavel nods along to his knight's testimony.
<Ambitious_GM> "Essos does breed fiersome warriors," he nods. "Did you fight at the Stepstones, Lord Gavel?"
* Ser_Hoster breaks into a grin "Careful Ser Kevan, you are begging for a war story."
* Averden_Gavel laughs. "Still, I did. I nearly drowned in the tide after a Nineman arrow killed my horse. I never saw who loosed it, but that shaft's strike ended with me launched from my saddle and my leg caught in the stirrup. I ended up trapped under the carcass as the tide came in. They were vicious, and they were eager to win."
<Ambitious_GM> "So they were," he nods, pouring himself some wine. "So they were."
<Ambitious_GM> He raises his cup, "To our gracious hosts, Lord Hosgavel and Lady Marsilla."
* Averden_Gavel wordlessly raises his own cup, yet untouched, and looks to his cousin.
<Ambitious_GM> Lady Marsilla breaks into a smile, nodding a thank-you to Ser Kevan.
* Ser_Hoster raises his cup "here here! May the seven watch over them!"
<Ambitious_GM> Cups are raised around the table, echoing the sentiment.
<Ambitious_GM> Even Lady Stone joins in, though she very clearly only smiles at Marsilla.
* Kastlan gets up with his wine. "Thank you, Ser Kevan. The honor's ours to have House Lannister under our roof." he then sips his wine and sits back down.
<Ambitious_GM> As the plates are cleared, the wine refilled, and the fruit sweets come in, Ser Kevan leans in once more. "Do you intend to join the lists at Lannisport, Lord Hosgavel?"
* Kastlan whether it was a trifle too much wine, or the inherent bluntness of the question, Kastlan loses some of the Arbor Gold still in his mouth. "Ahem... I haven't given it too much thought, my ser. I like to think I'm a proficient warrior." Kastlan seems to be lost in thought, "It has been nearly four years since I was at the last."
<Ambitious_GM> "You are a man in your prime. It would bring much honor to your House were you to join. And you, ser?" Kevan turns back to Hoster.
<Ser_Hoster> "I am quite eagerly awaiting the tourney Ser Kevan. A chance to face off against the finest warriors in the realm does not come often."
<Ambitious_GM> "I am assured Deepen Hall will be represented by Ser Walton. Perhaps the opportunity will present itself for you to meet in the tourney field."
<Ser_Hoster> "I can only hope for such an honor Ser."
* Averden_Gavel places his wine glass aside and leans in, looking to Eva Stone. "Unless aught has changed with the arrangements, then on the morrow I will have my men made ready to escort you back to Market Town in good comforts."
<Ambitious_GM> "Yes, Lord Gavel. Thank you," she nods.
<Ambitious_GM> "Before we retire for the eve, I would ask that the stable master have our mounts ready before dawnbreak, Lord Hosgavel."
<Kastlan> "Of course. I'll see to it that it's done."
<Ambitious_GM> "You have our gratitude," Ser Kevan says, rising from his seat.
<Ambitious_GM> "I look forward to seeing you on the lists," he nods to Hoster before taking his leave.
* Ser_Hoster nods to Ser Kevan "And I you good Ser."
* Averden_Gavel leans towards Hoster. "Pick two men from the Black Watch who will lead the Market Town train, and another dozen men from the Home Guard. Tell them they will see to it Lady Eva is returned home safely, and then return to Granite Hold."
<Ser_Hoster> "As you command My Lord." Ser Hoster nods and then walks off to accomplish his task.
<Ambitious_GM> Night passes uneventfully for those in the Argent Keep. Yet outside, the smith and his apprentice work themselves into exhaustion.
<Ambitious_GM> Before the break of dawn, the stable master and his hands saddle up the Lannister horses, and bring them down just outside the courtyard.
<Ambitious_GM> At this hour, Ser Kevan arrives at the Smith's stall. Kaspar barely hangs on, while his apprentice is fast asleep.
<Kaspar> "Good Morning or night. I have lost track of the time, Ser Kevan."
<Ambitious_GM> Kevan nods, "Are they finished?"
<Kaspar> "Of course, of course! They are stacked up in the corner over there."
<Ambitious_GM> "Hand me one, smith."
* Kaspar wearily stands up and gets a spear from the top of the pile. He sluggishly walks towards and hold out the lance. "Here it is, good ser."
<Ambitious_GM> The knight grabs it at different points on along the pole, testing its balance, then slides it down to the spear-end and feels the point.
<Ambitious_GM> "Good, good. Fine steel. Perfectly balanced," he nods.
<Kaspar> "Thank you, kind ser."
<Ambitious_GM> He reaches down to his belt and drops a pouch on the counter. "The Lord Hand will be pleased."
<Kaspar> "I hope so, ser. This was quite the task."
<Ambitious_GM> "One well-performed."
<Ambitious_GM> He takes two of the lances back to the awaiting mounts. "My men will come for the rest."
<Kaspar> "Thank you for your kind words, good ser."
<Ambitious_GM> When Lord Tywin emerges from the Argent Keep, his men pour out and grab their lances before mounting up.
<Ambitious_GM> The skies are a subtle blue-purple hue now, and few villagers are about.
* Kaspar takes the pouch, and counts the coins. He sets up payment for his apprentice and the wood cutters.
* Averden_Gavel hobbles out of the Keep to see his liege off.
<Ambitious_GM> The Hand mounts his impetuous courser, and turns once more to the Argent Keep.
* Kaspar wakes up his boy. They are gonna get some food at a local inn before getting some proper rest.
* Kastlan comes out just after his cousin to see off Lord Tywin, Ser Kevin and their retinue.
<Kastlan> "I hope you were content with your visit to the Argent Keep, my Lord. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding it."
<Ambitious_GM> The Hand receives his lance, and gives Kastlan a simple nod before pulling on the reins of his horse and taking his leave. Ser Kevan salutes Averden and Kastlan with his lance before bringing his mount to a trot to catch up with his brother
* Averden_Gavel nods as the Lannisters part, and turns to his cousin. "For what purpose did they order those lances made? Were you ever made privy?"
<Ambitious_GM> Soon, the Lannister men ride out of sight in an Easterly direction.
<Kastlan> "Something they're comfortable enough with us knowing they have them, but not too keen on letting us know their reasons."
<Kastlan> "The lances do serve a purpose, but Lord Tywin used them as leverage. As a show. He wanted us to see. He wanted us to know."
* Averden_Gavel raises an eyebrow at his cousin's words. "He had Kaspar make them. If he wanted to make a show of them then he would have brought them from elsewhere. It does but humble him to have them made here. Passing strange..."
<Averden_Gavel> He turns, and returns inside. "I must needs see Lady Eva away, as well. Then I will think on what our next actions shall be..."
<Kastlan> "Very well, cos." Kastlan says as he looks out onto his lands from the parapet.
<Ambitious_GM> At the turn of the next Moon, word arrives from Market Town. Mayor Esra Stone has welcomed the return of his daughter by presenting Lord Hosgavel and a knight of his choice with finely-crafted mail barding and custom-made drapery for their horses, ahead of the tournament at Lannisport. These arrive in one of the caravans bound for the port city along with the Mayor's good wishes.