Ch. 2 - Muzzles

ARGENT
§

After the bout, Meryn was carried off and deposited in one of the more comfortable guest rooms where he could fuss and no one would be able to hear him. Holly was left to check in on him every once in awhile. This left Argent with a bit of free time, so to speak, as he was no longer required to entertain the young Payne. So, he went about checking to see that everything was continuing to run smoothly for Jonys and Lysette which led him to the kitchens. He needed to check that the cold picnic lunch had been prepared appropriately, and he also took it upon himself to sample the food, making sure that it was up to par for a lady of The Arbor. While "checking" a particularly delectable turkey breast, Argent noticed a young, unfamiliar boy of perhaps seven or eight years snooping around the kitchens.

"Can I help you find something?" Argent asked politely, sidling up next to the boy.
"Oh! Um... I... My master requires herbs," the boy squeaked timidly.
"Your master? And who might that be?" Argent smiled.
"M-Master Payne."

Ah. So that meant that this poor little one was Colin Florent, Meryn's page. The poor boy was barely half a head taller than the table, and sending him on a mission with the vague idea of finding herbs was just the kind of cruelty that Meryn was quickly becoming known for.

"I'm sure that Holly is providing him with all of the herbs he needs," Argent started to slowly usher the boy out of the kitchens. The staff would probably be glad to no longer have Colin underfoot, and Argent himself did not particularly like the idea of one of Meryn's lackeys snooping around his home (regardless of how tiny and timid said lackey seemed).

"But, but my master said he wanted me to fetch him herbs..." Colin turned around, seeming more concerned about going back to Meryn empty-handed. Quite understandable.
"Yes, and it will be Holly who can fetch them for him," Argent re-directed the boy in the direction of the door leading outside.
"But... but... herbs!" Colin pleaded.
"Here. Take this," Argent swiped a sweetcake from the tabletop just as they were reaching the doorway, and placed it gently in Colin's palms. He kneeled down in front of the boy and ruffled his hair with a smile, "I'm sure your master will understand. Now, you just go ahead and eat that."

With that, Colin was finally shooed from the kitchens, and Argent returned to supervising the food preparation.

FLORIE
§

With the excitement of of the duel slowly fading, Florie found herself once more acting as household manager. She had noticed that she, Argent, and Ser Tobias had all gone in three different directions after Meryn had been attended to, and she entertained thoughts that they were both becoming a bit more serious about overseeing the success of the engagement party.

On what was supposed to be a brief errand outside, Florie found herself confronted with Lysette Redwyne.

"That was certainly an exciting match," Lysette said, apparently choosing her words carefully. Florie had enjoyed it immensely, despite its brevity, but decided that saying as much was dangerous, so instead she smiled and nodded.
"Meryn really is an excellent fighter. Your man must have... must have surprised him," Lysette continued. "At any rate, I don't want your champion challenging him to any more foolishness."

Florie kindly reminded Lysette that it was Meryn who instigated the challenge, though Lysette was hardly paying attention.
"Your hall is comely. Do you always have ribbons?" she blinked in a practiced expression of innocence.
"Depends on the occaision," Florie answered. The real answer was 'no, we had the insane notion of trying to impress you' but once again she opted for the more polite response. "What you should see are the orchards!"

Blackbane Hall and the surrounding area was renowned for its cider, and therefore had the most plentiful apple orchards. Florie was once again drawing attention to the more desirable things that their House offered, though Lysette replied by asking if Blackbane Hall had the various and assorted fruits that grew abundantly in The Arbor.

"In The Arbor we have oranges, peaches, and vast sprawling vineyards," Lysette drawled. Florie may have choked her right then had they not been interrupted by a small boy looking sadly at a sweetcake in his hands.
"Oh! That's Meryn's little page, Colin Florent! He's a sweet boy and he dotes on me," Lysette pressed a delicate hand to her heart.
"Well, hello there," Florie stooped a bit lower to look the boy in the eye. "What can we do for you?"
"I was looking for herbs in the kitchen for my master, but the man gave me this instead," Colin held the pastry up, seeming a little melancholy about the sweetcake not being herbs.
"Holly stores all of our medicinal herbs elsewhere. They wouldn't be in the kitchens anyway," Florie tried to soothe the boy. She gave him a reassuring smile and sent him off, now having to focus her attention on Lysette and keeping the woman happy.

TOBIAS
§

Ser Tobias was well aware that after dashing the brains out of one of the more affluent guests of the party, he needed to retreat to a quiet place far away from any condemning looks. The armory seemed most appropriate for him, as it was a comfortable space and no one should be thereabouts - no one except himself. He was replacing his practice sword when someone walked in.

"I think we will be having our picnic now," Jonys said.

Tobias tried to bow out gracefully, but Jonys would have none of it. "I'd rather have the winner of the bout leading the armed guard than the loser," he said. Tobias couldn't refuse the lord, so he agreed. When Jonys made it apparent that he was going to make Florie and Argent come along too, Tobias hurried off to fetch Argent, who was none too happy to come, but at last consented, looking all the while like he was heading towards some sort of doom.

Florie's Journal, Excerpt
§

I try to like picnics. I have always tried to like picnics. But mostly, it seems that at picnics, I'm supposed to sit on a blanket and not get my hair mussed while the boys do the really interesting things. That's why I enjoyed the hunting parties so much more. But a passion for hunting has brought more trouble than I ever thought. But first, the picnic. Lysette was happy in her litter, and we were all happy to leave her there while she nattered about the vineyards back home, and wondered at our lack of grapes. I didn't really listen to any of it, but then she insisted that I share the litter with her, and suddenly our poor servants were carrying two girls instead of one. And then she tried to insist we carry the picnic too. We finally got to the Round Shoulders, which is a really pretty waterfall and a pool beneath it, all surrounded by lush grass and shady trees. Toby went off to patrol the area like a good guard, and also no doubt to get away from the picnic, and the rest of us sat and did picnic things. It wasn't very long until my little dog Cotton was suddenly mad with barking off at something in the trees, and I spent some time trying to round him up. At least then I wasn't talking to Lysette. Then Argent ran off into the woods and came back swearing it was nothing.

When Toby came back, though, he had blood on his face, and I noticed before anyone else, and threw a piece of meat into the trees for Cotton and made pretense of needing Toby to help me fetch him back. As I cleaned up his face, he told me he had seen and killed a bear nearby, and was going to send its skin home with one of the guards. I decided that since Argent wouldn't tell me, I wasn't speaking to him. Besides, he had his hands full trying to be ingratiating to Lysette, a game I was heartily sick of. We finally headed home, and I insisted on walking the whole way this time.

Home was too quiet, though, and it was clear that something was very wrong. Father met us at the door, and gathered Argent, Toby, and me, and led us back towards the kennels. He talked about how when I was littler, he would have tried to shield me from this, but as it was, I should come. The sight he took us to is one that will haunt my nightmares. The first thing I registered was the least of the trouble. My two hunting hounds, Bramble and Swift, were both tied to a stake with their heads so close to the ground they could hardly move them. They were whining and muzzled. Then I slowly took in the rest, a mound of cloth and bloodied meat... and a little boot, the same boot I'd seen on Meryn's page. My father said that my animals had savaged the boy, and then, as I looked on horrified, Father began to rage at me, that he had told me not to try my will against the wild, that this was what my hunting had led to. When I asked where the kennel master, Dabnavar, was, he told us that Dabnavar had been locked in the Tomb for this. It made me sick, but I could not believe that my dogs would do such a monstrous thing without being pushed to it. If my dogs went mad, something drove them to it. But my father would hear none of it, and Argent urged me gently away, leading us to the Tomb. Poor Dabnavar was huddled in the tiny space, unable to sit or stand properly, and we learned only that the dogs had been in a fury, but that he had not been there when they attacked, he had only seen the aftermath. I promised to do what I could for him, and we walked back to where poor Colin's body was.

Toby found a scrap of the boy's clothes, and his eyes went wide, saying that it smelled as if it had been doused in animal musk. Argent, who got far closer to the body than I was willing to be, began to puzzle why there was so little blood. He and Toby spoke a minute, and both agreed that even in such a small boy, there was far more blood than was here. Slowly, the sick realization dawned on us that he could have been killed anywhere, and given to the dogs to cover up the true nature of his death. Which meant that someone in Blackbane hall was cold enough to have murdered a little boy. That began a somewhat frantic search around the hall for any sign that he had been killed elsewhere. Argent spoke to Meryn with little success, and we tried to find out where Colin had been from Mace and Mina Tyrell, the two other children in their travelling party, but they only said that Meryn had let him have the sweetroll, and that he had gone off to play. During dinner, we slipped away to check through the guest rooms, but that nearly got us into trouble. We barged straight in on Olenna Tyrell eating dinner alone. She asked us a number of uncomfortable questions, and we left, embarrassed and trying to cover as well as we could.

We checked everywhere. Finally, disheartened, we went in to check on Mother. She used to keep a little garden just outside, but it was now overgrown and untended. Still, the door was open to let in air in, and there was a scent that overrode the smell of the medicinal herbs and the sick-sweet scent that accompanied Mother all the time now. On the air, there was a strong smell of musk.

Ch. 1 - Gilded Roses

FLORIE
§

Florie Felsward, daughter of Lord Garon Felsward, moved from room to room in Blackbane Hall carefully scrutinizing the decor to make sure everything was as it should be. Her eyes darted from the recently dusted columns to the delicately hung tapestries to the finely crafted candelabras checking that no detail had been ignored. If she came across any servant that appeared to be finishing their duties, she quickly assigned them more, while simultaneously keeping everyone's motivation and morale at the highest possible level. Everything had to be in order, everything had to be perfect for today. The slightest misstep would mean disaster and shame for the entire household.

Florie's older brother, Jonys, first-born son to Lord Garon, had been betrothed to Lysette Redwyne of The Arbor, and it was House Felsward's responsibility to host the engagement party. It would be today that their engagement would be made public, both families coming together in support of their heirs. More privately, the engagement party was a means to impress and pamper the Redwynes, because they, as the wealthier of the two Houses, would be hosting the wedding itself and paying all costs associated with such a celebration. So, this left Florie with the daunting task of making the engagement party look as showy and glorious as the wedding was sure to be with only half the budget. She had to silently acknowledge that while her home, Blackbane Hall, was very cozy and provided many modern amenities it could potentially appear austere to the people of the Arbor, who were more accustomed to finer things. Blackbane Hall was erected by her ancestors after a stunning victory over Damian Blackfire during his rebellion, the Felsward house playing a vital role in his downfall; however, the starkness of the Hall itself did appear a bit out of place amongst the lush foliage and ample greenery of the Reach. But with a little luck and a lady's touch, Florie would make the place fit for a queen, or at least a minor duchess.

She was busy tidying the grand entryway when she heard a soft shuffling movement behind her. Thinking that it was a servant ready for another task, she turned towards them about to spout off a list of things that needed doing, and instead saw her mother, Lady Vallya, standing in the doorway. One hand was against the doorframe for support, the other was pressed to her chest.

"Mother! What are you doing up?" Florie exclaimed. Lady Vallya was very ill, had been very ill for a long time. She had a wasting disease that had started off as simple dizzy spells and then worsened as the years went by. As of two years ago she had taken to her bed, unable to even perform the basic functions of her station. She rarely, if ever, left her chambers to walk around the hall, and she was often wracked with violent seizures that left her further incapacitated.

"Argent... Where is Argent?" Lady Vallya asked weakly.

"I... I'm not sure," Florie answered. Only a half-lie, as she could imagine where Argent, her younger brother, was right now. Most likely engaging in some form of inappropriate revelry with Ser Tobias, and leaving her and the servants to do all the work.

"Th-there will be no dishonor!" Lady Vallya raised her voice as well as herself to place emphasis on her point. "Tomorrow is a very important day for Jonys, and for our entire House. Find him and bring him back here."

Florie nodded and assured her mother that Argent would be found immediately, while ushering her back to her chambers so as not to exhaust her further. Once her mother was safely tucked back in and in the care of her primary nurse and attendant, Holly Greyfell, Florie snagged the nearest cloak available to her and rushed outside. Somehow it was already dark out, and Florie could not venture beyond the Hall's gates alone. Looking around, she saw that all of the servants and guardsmen were otherwise occupied, dutifully carrying out the tasks she herself had assigned to them. She needed someone, anyone to act as her escort on this errand, so she went to visit the Hall's blacksmith. His name was Jahrgrim and he was feverishly working at his forge. He most certainly did not have time to be running off with her, but with enough eyelash batting and sweetness Florie convinced him to allow his son, Jahrgrim the Younger, to accompany her. She had her horse saddled, and with her newly acquired escort she rode out of the gates and down into the town. She was more than a little annoyed with her younger brother for being out carousing (as she was sure he was), and for being forced to leave her much more important duties to fetch him. Couldn't he have just stayed to help this one time? She was stressed as it was and did not need him adding to it; furthermore, Ser Tobias should have the decency and honor as an anointed knight to remain at the hall and not give in to Argent's whims. Their friendship was strong, though, and she knew deep down that the two boys would not be separated, especially when liquor and wenches were involved.

Florie reigned her horse in and eventually stopped in front of the Drunken Knave. It was the biggest tavern in the town, and being just a short ride down the hill from Blackbane Hall made it the most likely place to find Argent.

"My lady, you don't think they're... here?" Jahrgrim sounded dubious as his horse clopped up beside hers.

"Of course I do," she responded, allowing a little of her exasperation to seep into her tone.
She then made sure her cloak was secure, her hood covering her eyes, and placed both hands on the doors to the tavern. With a sweeping arm movement Florie flung the doors open with such force that the motion caused her cloak to swirl around her as she stood in the doorway. The gesture turned more than a few heads in her direction, as it should have, and she used the precious seconds of stillness her interruption caused to survey the room.

ARGENT

§

The day was sure to be long, tedious, and full of gruelling work for his brother's engagement celebration, so Argent Felsward had decided to engage in his own celebrations away from the frantic scurrying at Blackbane Hall. He had snagged his closest friend, Ser Tobias Ore (who, as of recently, was one of the youngest knights to take vows before the Seven), and the two of them had quickly made their escape to the Drunken Knave. Argent, so named for the stripe of silver hair that had been present since his birth, was the second-born son. This meant he was not expected to perform all the duties expected of Jonys -for that he was eternally grateful- and so he would probably not be missed this day while everyone else was busy decorating and preparing for the arrival of Lord and Lady Redwyne.

After just a few drinks, he and Ser Toby had the attentions and affections of all the tavern patrons, and the staff seemed quite fond of them as well. They took turns regailing the people around them with one of their favorite drinking diddys:

"Wenches, whores and Septas

all look the same in the dark.
Especially when you've had
a few pints of meadowlark!"

There was much hooting and applause that continued to get louder and louder, as their verses became more and more vulgar. Eventually they settled in to telling stories about each other and their misadventures, and Ser Toby was about to divulge a rather sensitive tidbit about the time that Argent stole his father's horse for a late night joyride when Argent shushed him.

"That's quite enough, Ser," Argent warned, though he wore a smile on his face.
"Oh. Florie," came his friend's reply.
"No, I'm Argent," he said bemused. Perhaps Ser Toby was a bit more intoxicated than a cursory glance would suggest. Argent then noticed that Tobias' face had gone a little slack and he was looking over Argent's head. Looking over his shoulder to see what had so suddenly captured his friend's attention, he found the steely glare of his older sister. Oh. Florie.

"What. Are you doing. HERE?" Florie said, seemingly through gritted teeth.
"Celebrating with the smallfolk! Something you would do well to try, dear sister," he said amiably, then quickly added, "Here. Have a pint."
He attempted to pass her a glass, but she simply crossed her arms.
"No. We are going home. NOW," Florie said sternly, glaring down at Argent. He furrowed his brow at her, fully mystified by her tone. Florie never addressed him this way, the two of them got on marvelously with each other. Perhaps the stresses of her day had worn her patience thin.

"No, we're not," Argent shot back. He had no intentions of giving up his fun just yet.

Florie sighed deeply, "How many verses of 'Wenches, whores, and Septas' have you two made it through already?"

"Just one or two, I think," he said innocently. Ser Toby tilted his head back and squinted his eyes, thinking hard. He started to count on his fingers, then thinking better of it, decided to count the empty glasses on their table. Florie took this as an admission of guilt.

"Right then. Time to go," she said, and then for good measure she added,"Mother sent me to fetch you."

So that was what had her so ruffled. Argent couldn't argue any further, it would mean going against the wishes of his mother. He stood up, just as the wench was passing by.

"Will you be leaving, my lord?" she asked with just a hint of a pout.

"It appears so," he said sympathetically.

"Then you will be settling your tab, my lord?"

"Of course. Florie will take care of it," he flashed a charming smile at his sister, and then left her with the expectant wench to go help Ser Toby out of his chair. After Florie paid, the four of them made their way outside where Ser Toby impressively managed to mount his horse, Bailey, without any help from anyone despite his drunken state. He was at his most endearing when, during the ride back up the hill he turned to Florie and said," 'Hoot' is a funny word because it has all the o's in it."

Florie herself seemed to return to normal on the ride back to Blackbane Hall, and began to fret about the palisades and how pointy they would appear to guests. Ser Toby attempted to reassure her, and Argent rode beside them silently, just enjoying listening to their chatter. This is how it should always be, he thought to himself, as soon as Jonys' party was over everything would return to normal and the three of them could relax. Upon arriving back at their home, they were greeted by the Master of Horse, Resna Mirdain. She was initially quite furious with them for having the horses out so late, and decided that Ser Toby was the most likely candidate for a severe scolding from her. Argent managed to placate her with compliments, and they sent Resna off with their horses. Because they had to go visit Lady Vallya, Argent quickly escorted Ser Toby back to his quarters and then he and Florie went to visit their mother. She was, as usual, in her bed and seemed more than a little relieved to learn that Argent had returned.

"You will not always have us. You and Florie and Jonys, you will only have each other," Lady Vallya's voice was barely louder than a whisper. She sounded very tired, "You three must love and support each other..." she trailed off, and then her eyes rolled back into her head. She started to convulse spurring Argent to jump up from the bedside. Florie called out for Holly, and when the nurse arrived the two siblings made a hasty exit - they hated seeing their mother in this state.

Out in the hallway they found Ser Toby waiting for them, as he had apparently tired of waiting in his own chambers. Argent was just about to suggest they return to their festivities, when an angry voice sounded behind him.

"So there you are!" Argent turned to see his older brother Jonys standing in the hallway looking malevolently at all three of them. "You should be ashamed of yourselves! And especially YOU, Ser, as an anointed knight! I knew you were much too young to have taken your vows!" Jonys raged. For the second time that night, poor Ser Toby found himself on the receiving end of a severe tirade.

"Now, hold on," Argent interrupted his brother, "You know that good Ser Toby is a most noble, and faithful knight of our House."

Jonys turned on Argent next, "And you! You have absolutely no honor!"

"I do have honor," Argent attempted to look wounded, but inwardly he was immensely grateful that it was Jonys who had to endure all the anxieties of being engaged to a girl he had never met, and not Argent himself.

"Yes, you feign it well. You wrap it around yourself like armor," Jonys was seething, "Just make sure you and your false honor are at your best tomorrow." And with that he stormed off.

Florie seemed concerned for Jonys, and Ser Toby wanted to do something to redeem himself while easing Jonys' nerves. After a brief discussion, the two of them came up with the idea to set up a picnic for Jonys and Lysette outside in a nearby clearing. It was the perfect place to show off the beautiful flowers and plantlife that was native to their area, while at the same time distracted her from the barrenness of Blackbane Hall. They would also need a litter built for Lysette, so that she could be carried to the spot by servants, hopefully impressing her all the more. Unfortunately for them, the servants would not be happy about being given more work, especially as it would cause them to work well into the wee hours of the morning. So, Argent took it upon himself to convince their staff. He went in with smiles and charm, jokes and flattery and managed to convince the carpenters to build a basic litter and the kitchen staff to prepare a cold lunch suitable for a picnic for the following day. Florie pointed out that they would have nothing to decorate the litter with beyond the two soft pillows she had contributed from her own room, and so the three of them decided to make daisy chains. Argent, Florie, and Ser Tobias spent the remainder of their night (which was now mostly gone anyway) tying daisies together to make long, glorious chains, and upon finishing that they went and bedecked the newly built litter.

There was just enough time before morning to say their goodnights to each other, and then collapse in their beds for a couple of peaceful hours of sleep. After all, they needed a least a little rest before the arrival of their esteemed guests.

TOBIAS
§

Upon waking up, Ser Tobias impressed himself by not being the slightest bit hungover. In fact, he even felt decently refreshed despite his hard work and lack of sleep the previous night. He wandered down to the kitchens, and found Argent already there and eating breakfast. Shortly after, Florie dragged herself in looking less rested than he and Argent.

"You look beautiful," Ser Tobias told her earnestly. Florie managed a smile and a thank you in return. As he began to eat, Jonys was the next to enter the kitchens and he radiated nervousness.

"Today is the day. Do I look alright?" Jonys seemed to be asking no one in particular.

"You look fine. Here, have some wine to ease your nerves," Argent said smoothly while passing a half-full glass to Jonys.

"Oh, thank y-" Jonys stopped just short of accepting the glass that Argent had offered. He then turned to look at Ser Tobias and seemed to nod in acknowledgement of something, "Now I see how easy it is for you to drink with him."

After breakfast, Ser Tobias was asked to join Jonys and Argent on a walk while Florie was sent to check in on Lady Felsward. Of course, Ser Tobias was more than willing to accompany the two young lords, and he was feeling more at ease now that Jonys seemed to have lost his animosity towards him.

"Ser Toby, why not tell Jonys of the surprise you prepared for him," Argent prompted, as they were exiting the hall into the bright summer morning sunshine. Jonys looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"It was Florie's idea," Ser Tobias said, wanting to give credit where it was due. He then led the way to where they had left the litter after hours of work the night before, and explained that Jonys could make a good impression on Lysette Redwyne by emphasizing the beauty of their region and citing how good of a match it was for her beauty. Jonys seemed sincerely impressed with the effort at first, but then his face fell at the mention of Lysette.

"Do you think she will be beautiful? Will I like her?" Jonys asked, seeming lost in his thoughts. It occurred to Ser Tobias that Jonys' outburst at him the previous night had actually been misdirected nerves, and the poor man had been and would continue to suffer on the inside until he finally met his betrothed. It was a natural state of mind for a man who had yet to actually see the face of his future wife.

"I'm sure she will be beautiful," Ser Tobias said faithfully, as if by saying so he could will Lysette Redwyne into being stunningly gorgeous.

"Yes. Yes, I'm sure you're right. That just leaves the Tyrells to worry about," Jonys nodded and clapped Ser Tobias on the back. Ser Tobias froze in his steps, as did Argent. They both just stared at Jonys unblinkingly.

"What? What is it? Did you two not know that we would also be hosting Lord Luthor and Lady Olenna Tyrell?" Jonys asked. The Felswards were bannermen to the Tyrells, their House owed fealty to the reigning family in Highgarden, as did the Redwynes. Initially, Ser Tobias could not understand why the Tyrells would be visiting for the engagement party of lesser households, but he slowly worked it out in his head. Lady Olenna Tyrell was born a Redwyne, sister to Lord Honor Redwyne who was father to Lysette. Lysette Redwyne was Lady Olenna's niece, and so House Tyrell was coming to see to the best interests of their family. No wonder Jonys had been so uptight before.

Any further conversation was interrupted by a summons back to the Hall. It appeared that their guests could be seen on the road, leading a long procession. The three men hurried back to the entryway of Blackbane Hall where Florie, Lord Garon, and the higher ranked servants where already waiting. Everyone in the household was lined up starting at the gate and leading back to the doorway, where the members of the Felsward family stood. Soon, a large and ornately decorated carriage stopped just inside the gate. It bore the crest of House Tyrell, and when the door opened Lord Luthor and Lady Olenna stepped out followed by their two young children, Mace and Mina. A second carriage, only slightly less ornate, pulled in behind the Tyrells followed by the rest of the procession on foot. From that carriage came Lord Honor and Lady Bethenny Redwyne, and just behind them a young woman stepped down. Ser Tobias noticed that she had long dark hair, and her body was curved in all the right places. An ample bosom, beautifully formed hips, and a face as radiant as the sun. Apparently, Jonys had nothing to worry about after all.

Florie was trying to tell him something, but he was momentarily distracted by the beauty of Lysette Redwyne. Just as he was about to turn and ask her what she had said, he noticed a fourth person stepping out of the carriage just behind Lysette. It was a boy roughly the same age as himself and Argent, he had long, flowing golden hair, and he seemed to attend on Lysette a little too closely. On his chest was crest with a blue and white checkered field and a gold coin within each square. That was the symbol of House Payne, the wealthy cousins and bannermen to the great House Lannister. They acted as treasurers for the Lannisters, and so it was no wonder they too had gold coming out their ears.

The two visiting families approached the Felswards and everyone made the proper, polite introductions (Ser Tobias noticed that Jonys was looking considerably more at ease). Then, everyone was led into Blackbane Hall to commence with a grand feast and general celebration in honor of Jonys and Lysette. As luck would have it, Ser Tobias found himself seated with Argent (naturally), Florie (mercifully), Jonys, Lysette, and the golden-haired Payne who introduced himself as Meryn. In Ser Tobias' opinion, Meryn sneered and complained a lot. He dominated the conversation, and seemed to pick out all the flaws of Blackbane Hall which was a clear insult to the Felswards. Any insult directed at House Felsward, Ser Tobias felt personally and he found himself liking Meryn Payne less and less as the conversation went on. At one point, Meryn decided that he had discovered common ground with Argent as they were both the second-born sons of their respective Houses; furthermore, this led Meryn to compare everything The Arbor provided to everything Argent's household could provide.

"So how is your Master-at-Arms, here?" Meryn asked Argent.

"Competent," Argent said politely, though he was clearly trying not to continue the conversation.

"Competent? Merely competent?" Meryn jeered, "Well, I hope that when you and your guards have your training, the lot of you can aspire to be simply 'competent.' The Mater-at-Arms of The Arbor is a very skilled swordsman, and I benefit from his training everyday."

Ser Tobias had already had quite enough of this sniveling little weasel.

"Perhaps you'd care to prove it then," Ser Tobias challenged, placing both hands on the table and leaning forward menacingly.

"Yes, what a marvellous idea! A friendly duel between the two second-sons," Meryn looked to Argent with a less than friendly smile. He had clearly misinterpreted Ser Tobias' challenge. Argent cocked an eyebrow at Meryn.

"No! You will contend with me," Ser Tobias clarified, keeping a steely gaze on Meryn. Now it was Meryn's turn to raise his eyebrows, though he continued to address Argent as if Ser Tobias was simple little child blustering at an elder.

"You will not fight me? You would let this commoner do battle for you?" Meryn was attempting to goad Argent into accepting the challenge. Argent smiled.

"Ser Toby is a champion and my defender. You will duel him," Argent stated calmly.

"Very well," Meryn acquiesced. At this, Lysette excitedly jumped up and announced to everyone in the feast hall that there would be a sparring match between Meryn and Ser Tobias. She seemed thrilled at the prospect of watching an actual duel. Now that everyone in attendance was aware of the coming fight, there was more than pride at stake for ser Tobias. He and Meryn quickly left to retrieve wooden practice swords and warm up. Argent, Florie, and the rest of the guests made their way out to the courtyard to watch.

When all the spectators had settled and the two combatants stood facing each other, they tapped a swords - a gesture signifying the "friendly" nature of their game. Then they began to slowly circle. Ser Tobias was dimly aware of Argent and Florie watching him, and decided that his first strike would be for Meryn's disparaging remarks about all of Florie's hard work in preparing Blackbane Hall. When he tired of circling, he suddenly lunged forward towards Meryn ducking down for a low feint. Meryn readily took the bait, and when he dropped his shield to block, Ser Tobias swiftly twirled around into an overhead strike that was aimed directly at Meryn's mushy head. A decisive crack was heard around the courtyard as the blow connected with perfect accuracy. Meryn crumpled to the ground, and the bout was called with Ser Tobias as the obvious winner.

Lysette let out a squeal of concern and was among the group of people who rushed to Meryn's side. Ser Tobias could care less, and when he turned to walk away he found himself face to face with Jonys. The older man smiled and shook his hand.

"Very good work," Jonys said quietly. Ser Tobias was momentarily speechless, and could only nod.

FLORIE

§

The sound Ser Tobias' practice sword made when it struck Meryn was awful, and it was at that moment that Florie saw the need for some damage control. Figuratively speaking. She sent a servant to fetch Holly Greyfell, inwardly taking a moment to savor Meryn's pain. Then she rushed forward into the crowd of onlookers attempting to see to the fallen lordling. Lysette was holding his head in her lap, stroking his hair while Meryn himself was bewilderedly calling Ser Tobias a "brute" and saying how savage the people of Blackbane Hall were. It seemed as though Meryn was attempting to garner Lysette's sympathy, and turn her against the Felswards. Florie smiled sweetly and complimented Meryn on how well he had accepted the blow, marveling at how masculine he was. Meryn ignored her and continued to tell Lysette how seriously hurt he was and that she should refuse to marry that Jonys Felsward. Florie needed to nip this in the bud, so she leaned in very close to Meryn Payne.

"Stand up and be a good sport or all of the people gathered here will know you henceforth as Mewling Meryn," she hissed in his ear. This seemed to do the trick, as Meryn shut his mouth immediately.

Florie stood up slowly and reflected on her conversation with her mother while the boys were off showing Jonys the newly built litter.

Florie had entered her mother's dimly lit chambers discreetly and came to sit on the bed.

"Jonys is worried," Lady Vallya said without greeting.

"It's natural, isn't it?" Florie stroked her mother's head.

"What I need from you is strength," Lady Vallya turned her head to look at Florie.

"I will do everything I can, mother," Florie reassured her.

"I mistrust the hand of Olenna Redwyne... I mean, Tyrell."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Florie was sincerely confused. It took her a minute, but she realized that Lady Olenna Tyrell must be related to Lysette Redwyne, and thus the Tyrells would be coming to visit as well. Florie did not see this as reason not to trust Lady Tyrell, as everyone knew that Lysette Redwyne was marrying just slightly below her station. The only mystery was how and why Lord Garon managed to set Jonys up with a Redwyne heiress. Lady Vallya took a moment to answer, and her eyes seemed distant, as if she were seeing somewhere far away.

"I fear we are being manipulated."