Page 438: A Guest In Highfield
A Guest In Highfield
Summary: Lady Nerys presents herself to the Knight of Highfield.
Date: 04/10/2012
Related Logs: Nerys arrives at Highfield: And From The North.
Players:
Aleister Nerys 
Great Hall — Highfield Keep
A true testament to the nobility and grandeur of the ruling family, this enormous hall serves as the main gathering and feasting area of Highfield Keep, with a high, vaulted ceiling and tall, narrow windows lining the outer walls, allowing sunlight to stream through. Several long feasting tables, accompanied by benches, serve as a comfortable place to enjoy a meal or quiet discussion, though a raised dais at the upper end of the chamber sets apart those who oversee this Keep and the surrounding lands - a pair of high-backed, elegantly carved chairs none-too-subtly emulating the thrones one might picture in the houses of royalty. A vibrant display of banners decorates the wall behind these; namely the crowned wolf of Highfield, on its field of gold, flanked by the sigils of Houses Frey and Charlton. A hearth along the length of the right wall is more oft than not alight and crackling with every fresh log that is tossed into its embers.
03 Oct, 289 AL

It certainly hasn't been 'quiet' in Highfield the past couple of weeks, what with the war ending and the seemingly … family issues that have arisen. Tonight, though, seems to be different, for Aleister has found his spot upon that dais and is conversing quietly with one of the servants. Little else appears to be happening within the Great Hall and with the exception of the guards, most of the other staff seem to have been dismissed for the evening.

Perhaps then, it might not be amiss that something or someone comes to enliven the Knight of Highfield's evening. Properly delivered to the Lord Aleister's guards by hers cousin, Nerys waits patiently, her handmaid Marisa close to her side, the two women speaking softly as they await the Lord's pleasure. The guards in question step inside to announce the young woman, "Your pardons, my Lord, but a guest comes, from the Lord Anders' House. His sister, the Lady Nerys Flint, has come to present herself to you."

The arrival of one of the gate guards into the Great Hall draws Aleister's attention and when his eyes settle upon the man and the announcement is heard, there's a slight incline of his head, followed by, "Indeed?" A shift of his posture has him sitting a little straighter in his seat, arms settling upon the rests of the chair before he continues with, "Very well, then, see the Lady in."

And so, she comes. Straight-backed and proud, but not in the overbearingly regal way of one too enamoured of their own position, but rather as one might expect of a woman of good breeding and a noble House. She is what she is, a daughter of her House. Contentedly so. A soft word of thanks to the guards that escort her and her maid in, the girl in question stepping off to the side to allow the Lady the room she needs, hands holding a roll of folded parchment lightly. Nerys, for her part, settles into a deep, respectful bow. "My Lord Charlton. My thanks for granting me an audience."

As Nerys begins her approach towards where he sits, Aleister is rising from his seat so that he can return the bow, with one that's gracefully respectful, and when he lifts from it, it's so that he can settle back down where he was, "Welcome, Lady Nerys." A pause comes and there is just the hint of a smirk that dances to his lips, "I must admit, I am surprised to see another of the Northerner's family so far from their lands."

Nerys seems content to remain on her feet, and looks for no seat in which to find repose. She does wait until the Lord has settled himself, and has set the unspoken question before her, "Thank you, Lord Charlton." Not a smirk, but a smile that reaches her eyes and fills her expression with mirth, "I had not expected to see my own family's lands so soon, my Lord. And to see these lands of yours, is an even greater surprise. I am only newly returned from the seat of House Mormont. My father, he sends you a missive." She holds out a hand, Marisa handing over the parchment, "With my Lord Brother's Lady Wife so close to her time, my father, he wished for me to join him, to aid him as I may. In his personal affairs as well as those business dealings as he may have in the Riverlands. He begs your leave to allow me to remain within your lands."

Listening to that, Aleister gives another slight incline of his head, followed by, "So recently returned and then sent to the Riverlands. Quite a shock this must be for you, my Lady." He doesn't linger for a response, though, for at the mention of the missive, he's waving his servant forward to collect the document, even as he gives another nod of his head, "You shall have my leave, Lady Nerys, and will be greated room and boarded as an honored guest. I fear, though, that if more of your family seeks to arrive, I might need erect a pavilion on the grounds to be able to house you all." There's just a hint of humor in the last of those words.

"A great shock. I am…I have not seen so much green land in many a year. In truth, I had forgotten how it felt to be warm, truly warm. To be able to turn my face to the breeze and not worry that I might lose a nose, or an ear." Nerys falls respectfully silent, as Aleister read the letter written in the Lord Asmund's hand, and bearing his seal. "I thank you for the kindness, my Lord. I will not give you cause to regret your kindness. I do not know what words my father sent to you, but know that I am no stranger to hard work, my fostering saw to that, and I would gladly aid your House however I might be able." A hand rises, covering Nerys' mouth, but it does nothing to muffle the laugh that bubbles up. "I do not think you have much to worry on, on that account, my Lord. I believe all of the Flint children have been properly doled out about the lands." She does manage to get herself under control. This bright, seemingly merry girl, so very unlike her staid, serious elder brother. "I jest, my Lord Charlton, but in truth, you have shown my family a great kindness, especially in my goodsister's time of need. It is my hope that we will be able to find a suitable means of recompense."

With the letter read, Aleister carefully folds the parchment and settles it upon his table as an almost quiet laugh begins to escape past his lips, "I shan't have need of you for the short time, my Lady, to which I can imagine you'll be pleased by. After all, after such a journey, I can only imagine that you wish to explore these lands and see what they have to offer." Now, his hands come to fold together in his lap and as he dips his head into a slight bow, he offers, "I call the Northerner a friend, Lady Nerys, and as such, his family is most welcome in my lands." Now, there's a rare flicker of a smile, "If you have need of anything during your stay, my Lady, simply speak to one of the servants and they will be able to direct you as needed, if they are unable to help."

Nerys once again falls into that deep curtsey, reading the dismissal for what it is, though she never quite loses that merriment, "I will await your word, my Lord Charlton. And I thank you. I will enjoy exploring this good, green land. Winter is coming, but I think…perhaps summer will linger here for a while longer, and I will enjoy it while I may." As she rises, her handmaid comes to join her, "I will remember, my Lord." And then, as a final note, "Six men-at-arms did arrive with me, my Lord, but they came only as escort with me. I have left them in my brother's care," to keep or dismiss as per whatever need or arrangement he might have with Aleister. It seems important to stress that she comes to him with no weapon nor threat of harm to the Lord or his House. It seems the only proper thing for a guest to do.

Once more, Aleister begins to rise from his seat and this time, it's to once again offer a respectful bow and when he lowers back into his seat, there's another hint of a smile, "It is my hope, Lady Nerys, that it lingers awhile yet." At the mention of the Men at Arms, there's an incline of his head, "Thank you for that information, Lady Nerys. I'm sure your brother will speak to me of them when we both have a moment to catch up."

"Time enough for another bloom and a good harvest, I have no doubt." Nerys returns to her feet, her back once again straight. Her maid as unobtrusive as ever, "I have no doubt that he will. I shall settle myself and such small things as I have brought. I will leave you to your duties, but will hope to see you again, when time and duty permit." A final merry smile, before the young woman turns and makes her exit of the hall.