Horas
Westeros 
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 0:29:44 GMT -5
"Then come with me. I have always found that vigorous exercise helps clear the mind." The king and his guards moved to an interior corner, deserted owing to the late hour. Aegon took a blunt practice axe in his hand, testing the weight. "You have been away a long time," Aegon commented. "How did you hide your dragon? When you moved, I mean. I would have thought rumors would spread like wildfire after the first smallfolk saw wings in the sky."
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 1:03:46 GMT -5
Malcolm nodded and followed him, taking a blunt practice blade, shorter than the standard longsword. "My dragon is smaller than most, and well accustomed to blending into the shadows. The very few times he was seen, a little gold eased the tongues of excited peasants to stillness."
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 1:19:54 GMT -5
The king hefted his shield into a ready stance. "Clever," Aegon commented. "You must have known my father. What was your opinion of the man?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 1:37:32 GMT -5
Malcolm fetched a second blade and then set himself into a ready stance, eyeing Aegon as he spoke. "A good man in his prime, but he relied on fear to rule with no trust to represent him. An unhappy kingdom is a treacherous one. Tell me, how many have you killed?" Malcolm lunged forward as he spoke, bringing his blades at both Aegon's sides.
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 1:46:32 GMT -5
Aegon grunted, interposing his shield to block the blows, then stepping back out of striking distance, circling warily. "I stopped counting a long time ago," Aegon replied, then suddenly punched his shield forward and followed it with an overhead chop of the axe.
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 2:02:31 GMT -5
Malcolm grunted as the shield hit him, stumbling back and bringing the blade sup in an X to catch the axe. With the blades locked, he tried to hook his leg around Aegon's and yank him off balance, then drive him into the ground.
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 2:27:03 GMT -5
Aegon had been watching Malcolm's hands, not his feet, and so the move caught him off guard. He stumbled backwards down to one knee, then found his footing and sprang forward swinging again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 15:18:41 GMT -5
Malcolm jumped back quickly as Aegon sprang, bringing his swords up again to block the swing, though one of the blades was knocked from his hand. He backed away and circled Aegon slowly. "How many men earned those deaths, and how many others were just following orders? How many families are left behind?"
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 15:31:59 GMT -5
"Too many," Aegon answered through gritted teeth, honestly, to all three questions. He rushed forward on the attack again, this time his axe swinging low.
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 15:35:54 GMT -5
Malcolm waited for Aegon to get close and then side-stepped in a quick spin, bringing his blade up to catch the underside of the axe and try to pull it from his hand, although it left him open.
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 23, 2014 15:56:45 GMT -5
Aegon stepped in at the same time, with the result that both of their aims were thrown off and Malcolm's blade jabbed into Aegon's ribs just as Aegon's axe caught Malcolm at the thigh. Aegon grunted in dissatisfaction, then stepped back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 23, 2014 16:01:46 GMT -5
Malcolm chuckled quietly as he backed away, retrieving his second blade. "We can't afford a war between two brothers right now. I can use my influence and allies to try and convince Maekar to find a better solution, but I must be able to go about my business without babysitters. He trusts me. You should do the same."
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 24, 2014 0:35:34 GMT -5
"Would that I could believe you," Aegon said, "But I have already asked my brother if he would receive peace and heard nonsense in return. Forgive me if I insult your pride, but I cannot imagine he would place the counsel of a man he just met in front of his own brother's."
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 24, 2014 1:33:45 GMT -5
"I am not in his way of becoming king; you are, regardless of being his brother." Malcolm shrugged slightly. "I have seen mothers kill their children, and fathers rape their daughters, all for reasons less tempting than a kingdom."
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 27, 2014 0:31:53 GMT -5
Aegon grunted in displeasure. "I have learned enough of the greed of men of late." He wiped a slight sheen of sweat from his brow. "I shall find a way for you to earn my trust soon enough, Prince Malcolm. Until then you shall have patience, and not try my guards with... unexpected walks."
|
|
|
|
Post by Varryn Targaryen on May 27, 2014 0:34:10 GMT -5
"Remember, King Aegon, I am here by my own initiative, and more importantly, voluntarily. You cannot keep me here should I wish to leave without reason, or your subjects may ask questions as to why royalty is being detained." Malcolm bowed slightly, and traded his training swords for his real blades again, sheathing them quickly.
|
|
Horas
Westeros
is Horas.
Posts: 1,146
|
Post by Horas on May 27, 2014 0:42:56 GMT -5
Malcolm would recall that his real blades were in the Lord Commander's possession, which perhaps said something about how voluntary the stay was. But Aegon's tone was mild in response to an assertion bordering on insolence. "And I am sure you will wisely choose to stay in my court and reap the rewards of loyalty in due time." He clapped the man on the shoulder as he moved past him, back into the keep. "Sleep well, Prince Malcolm."
|
|
all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too