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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 13:38:52 GMT -5
Brandon set Aerion down near a small village northwest of Rosby castle, in an opening of trees just off the small road. "Stay here, unless I call," he instructed, knowing the Aerion would do so without question. Aerion was one of the cleverest of dragons Brandon had ever met, even if accounting for some bias on his part. Let others have the largest or the oldest dragons, Brandon well knew that it was cunning that carried the day.
He pulled a homespun cloak over the white scale mail that symbolized his office. The cloak was white, if one wanted to be technical about it, but dirt and mud gave it a low class look, and if from a distance if others did not recognize him as the Lord Commander that would be alright with him.
He entered the village on foot, and scanned the various villagers set about their tasks, unsure yet of who he was looking to speak to, or why other than to get a true sense of King's subjects.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 17:23:47 GMT -5
As he walked, Brandon saw quite a few people about their business. There were two men in Rosby surcoats staggering drunkenly out of a small alehouse, an old woman with a basket of apples, a mother with two small children. He saw a woodcutter with a full cart, a farmer whose cart contained eggs and plucked chickens, a dairy farmer with a cart full of cheese and a smith's apprentice who seemed to be running an errand for his master.
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 17:32:06 GMT -5
Brandon moved towards the alehouse. He had no real thirst, but he imagined it was as good a place as any to put one's ear to the ground. He scanned the woodcutter, the two farmers and the apprentice as was his habit, not really expecting anything surprising out of them.
Reaching the door, he opened it, and paused a moment to let his eyes adjust to the lack of light, and to see what the little tavern had to offer.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 17:38:57 GMT -5
It was dingy and dirty with no rushes to cover the earthern floor. Several patrons were present - two more guardsmen, a lone farmer and two old men. The innkeep was an old woman, who had a young boy to help her serve.
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 17:40:39 GMT -5
Brandon sided up to the bar, with the guardsmen on his left side, and the two old men on his right.
"An ale if you please." he said.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 17:46:59 GMT -5
The old lady peered blearily at him. "You ain't from round here. Fine, an ale." She quickly poured the ale and pushed it across the bar to him. "On your way somewhere else, I suppose?"
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 17:57:58 GMT -5
"Yes," he said agreeably, tasting the ale, and setting it down on the counter. "Thank you. You get many travellers this way?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 18:03:32 GMT -5
"Some. Not so many except farmers coming to market, or soldiers going to war. The Rosby men run patrols from time to time, and they're allowed to drink in the tavern when they're off duty. But we're just a village, though bigger than the next one along. We've got our own sept and smithy and mill. Next village to us don't have a sept."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 18:16:37 GMT -5
"Well that is certainly something to be proud of," he said, without much conviction. "Word is the war will be done soon, so perhaps you'll only have farmers from then on. Worthwhile trade though."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 18:21:51 GMT -5
"Aye. I do well enough," she agreed. "Though there's some people as fear that the king will burn down the sept. Even here we know the war's about the dragons not liking the Seven."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 18:31:07 GMT -5
"I thought it had to do with the Faith Militant declaring open rebellion?" Brandon replied calmly, taking another sip, "There are worshippers of the Seven on both sides of this fight. The Prince of Dragonstone himself went to sept before going into battle, I've been told. Things are never so simple as that. And your Sept stands, and the war is near over. It'll make it through till the end, I think."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 18:47:07 GMT -5
"I pray that it is so!" She cried, touching the wooden symbol on a thong which hung around her neck. The little disk had the seven pointed scar scratched into it.
"The Prince of Dragonstone is of the true Faith? That's good. I don't understand all these things, meself. 'Tis war, that's all I know."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 19:01:42 GMT -5
"Not sure how true, but so it's said," Brandon replied, he leaned forward slightly, "Hows Lord Rosby disposed? Is he kindly towards the folk here?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 19:15:04 GMT -5
"Well enough. Don't have much to do with us, truly. 'cept there was that trouble when his son took the smith's sister to bed on her wedding night, like the dragonkings do. First Night or summat. But her husband werent best pleased and nor were m'lord himself. But mostly lord just has hhis steward visit from time to time."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 20:11:26 GMT -5
Brandon stiffened at that. "I see," he said, "Well that is a misfortune. How long ago was this?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 20:18:56 GMT -5
"Six moons ago by my count. Lordling got sent away for a time, ain't come back yet. But Lord Rosby said any man who forced a woman would get the knife or the Wall."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 20:21:58 GMT -5
"Fair enough then," Brandon said, thankful it wasn't a wrong he had would feel motivated to right.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 20:34:36 GMT -5
The old woman turned away and began to clean the dirty glasses while Brandon continued with his drink. He was almost finished when a man entered, a very young knight wearing a dirty white surcoat with a spiral design in blue, red and green emblazoned upon it. He looked very worried as he pulled up a stool and started interrogating the barkeep about strangers in the area, to which she offered no useful information. Then he looked at Brandon.
"Good ser, you have the look of a traveller. Where have you travelled from?"
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 20:41:59 GMT -5
"I have travelled all over, but I am originally from the North," Brandon replied, wracking his brain to see if the heraldry meant anything at all to him, "Who is it you are looking for, if you don't mind my asking?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 20:52:57 GMT -5
Brandon swiftly remembers that the spirals are the sigil of House Massey, the house of his brother Valarr's wife.
"My lady's daughter," the young knight explains. "She was taken prison whilst riding my lady's lands. They sent her guard's corpse back to the castle with a letter and the Seven Pointed Star. Oh, ser, my lady is so angry! Lady Helaena is only ten years old. My lady is so afraid she's been kidnapped by Poor Fellows who mean to use her as a hostage."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 21:08:37 GMT -5
"Where was she last seen?" Brandon asked, "Perhaps we can find her trail?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 21:12:52 GMT -5
"A few days ago. Three, I think. We've got men looking to the north and west of Rosby, and me and others looking to the south. Have you seen any Poor Fellows of late? My lady is quite sure its them. She worships the Seven, but my lord Valarr prays to the gods of Valyria."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 21:26:38 GMT -5
"I assure you Ser, if I saw any Poor Fellows, they would be dead already." Brandon replied with a slight scowl. "Let's speak to the Septon here, perhaps he would know those who harbor a disloyalty."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 12, 2014 21:37:37 GMT -5
"Of course. Thank you for your concern. Er...who are you, ser? I can tell you're not some villager. My name is Ser Darien of Stonedance. Lady Massey is my cousin."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 12, 2014 21:39:46 GMT -5
"Brandon Snow," He replied softly, he let the cloak come open slightly, so that if Ser Darien was the observant type, he would see white scales beneath.
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too