| Do Not Stay His Hand |
| Summary: | Martyn and Danae discuss the actions of a duel, if briefly. |
| Date: | 28/4/2012 |
| Related Logs: | The events of Answered as a Knight through Eschanton of Stonebridge. |
| Players: |
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| Town Square — Stonebridge |
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| The surrounding terrain has several small gullies and streams that feed into the waterfront area just adjacent to the town square, the sails of the boats visible over the tops of the buildings. The square is floored in the same heavy stone that the east docks and castle are constructed of while the buildings are a mix of the stone, wood, and mortar. There are quite a few fish vendors with their fragrant catches for sale among groups of tables which tend to be busy most of the time. |
| Sat Apr 28, 289 |
Having arrived in town not too long ago, Martyn has taken some time to get the journey here out of his system. He's currently standing not far from the entrance to the Crane's Crossing, watching the people passing by, looking a little lost in thought as he does.
Martyn
Within the browns and greys of the common folk in the Stonebridge Town Square, the soft blue of Danae's gown provides a splash of colour and indelibly marks her as a memeber of the nobility. Blue ribbons trail behind her, caught by the day's errant winds, as she moves at a deliberate pace with her guard and maid just a half step behind as proper. The lady looks thoughtful, fingers playing with the charms that hang around her throat.
As he keeps on watching the people passing by, Martyn's attention moves to that blue gown, and he looks in Danae's direction, studying her carefully for a few moments, before he offers a polite nod in her direction. He also glances bak towards the stables for a few moments, then back to the lady and the people nearby. Not saying anything yet, though.
After the meal earlier in the Crane's Crossing, Bruce had the afternoon to visit with his very pregnant wife and young son. It appears he's done that, for the Captain of the Stonebridge Guard is emerging from one of the small residential streets with well to do cottages on it. He's got a folded piece of parchment in hand.
Looking towards the unfamiliar man with an inquisitive gaze, marking him by his casual position near the Crane Inn as presumably someone of slight acclaim, Danae offers a slight curtsey in response. Enough for someone of near equivelent rank if not so deferential as it might be with an introduction. The arrival of the Captain of the Stonebridge Guard is met with a similiar gesture as she softly greets, "Good day, Ser Longbough."
Bruce dips his head at Danae as he keeps walking. His path is taking him towards the bridge. "Lady Danae, a good day to you as well. I'm sorry for the hurry, but I've got to go see if Ser Gedeon needs anything before everybody closes up shop for the night, hence the rush." He smiles weakly at the Westerling, offering a bit of a wave at Ser Martyn, too, before he's on to the bridge and the men posted there.
"Ser Bruce," Martyn offers towards the Captain of the Guard, also greeting the man a smile and a nod. Pausing for a few moments, as he sees the man head off again, he then turns to the lady again. "Looks like the good ser was in a bit of a hurry," he offers, before he adds, "I'm Ser Martyn Mallister."
"Of course, Ser," Danae replies with a commiserating look, brushing her skirts back with a hand as she inclines her chin in the slightest of nods. Blue eyes follow the Captain's back as he brisky moves towards the bridge, mouth pursing in silent thought. She blinks at Martyn's address, pivoting to look towards the Mallister knight. "It seems so. There are surely a number of things he must attend before tomorrow comes, no doubt a number feel the same." And. "Well met, Ser Mallister. I am Lady Danae Westerling." There she dips in a more respectful curtsey, acknowledging his rank and offering a smile.
There's a more respectful bow from Martyn in return now, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Westerling," he offers, before he sighs a little bit at the mention of the events happening tomorrow. "Many people probably have a lot to do before tomorrow, yes. And the Captain probably more than most, that's true," he offers, with a bit of a nod.
"Indeed." Danae inclines her head gracefully towards Martyn, brows rising mildly as she wonders, "You have come a ways from Seagard, Ser Mallister. May I ask, is it to see the duel or do you have other business in Stonebridge?"
Martyn smiles a little. "I've been staying at the Roost since shortly after we got home from the war, so I haven't really been travelling all the way from Seagard," he replies, before he adds, "But the duel is one of the main reasons for me being here, that's true."
"Just as well then, it is a long and dusty ride from there," Danae returns agreeably, having made the journey herself previously. She smiles a little at the Ser Mallister. "It will be something long talked over, I believe. Two fine knights of the realm meeting on such…dire terms."
Martyn nods a bit as he hears that. "They are both very skilled fighters, so I believe you are right. It will be talked about for a long time." A brief pause, and he adds, "Hopefully for the right reasons." That last part seems to be something he's not quite aware that he actually said right out.
"The right reasons, Ser?" Danae wonders gently, catching his slip of a tongue as she regards him with keen, blue eyes. "What might those be from a knight such as yourself's perspective?"
There's a pause as Martyn realizes that he did indeed speak out loud. "Nobody interfering with the duel, no matter if the person doing so has good reasons for doing so," he replies, after a few moments of pause. "Out on the Iron Islands, I was in a similar situation, being on the losing end of one of those duels. But after I fell, and when my opponent tried to kill me, my cousin got me out of there, at great risk." A brief smile. "Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for what he did. But there's been a lot of talking about his acction afterwards."
"Ah. See that is where the honor of knights come to the forefront of my confusion, a lady would simply thank her savior. I think I understand very well your meaning, though. It is to your credit, Ser, that you do not try to imply that else may have occurred," Danae compliments gently, flashing the Mallister man a soft smile. "I do not think that this duel will benefit from such kindly interruption. It is judicial. Between the flash of swords and the hand of the gods…I cannot imagine that such grace will be seen." Her lashes dip over her clear gaze, the final words softer than the rest and tinged with sorrow.
"Thank you, Lady Westerling," Martyn replies, with a bit of a smile, before he nods once more. "I highly doubt anyone will be showing anything like that tomorrow. If it should happen, I'd say the person being spared is going to hate the winner more than before." A breif pause, and a sigh, before he adds. "Which is sad, since it is two very fine knights that will do the fighting."
"Two fine knights and finer men, Ser Mallister. I have had the pleasure of each's acquaintance, the Riverlands will suffer for either passing," Danae corrects, clasping her hands at her waist. "Still, I do not think we will be so lucky. Do you know either well?"
Martyn nods a bit at the correction. "Not as well as I could hope," he replies to the question. "I know their skills in battle well, though. Since I've had the honor of fighting alongside both of them on the Islands. Both of them did very well out there."
Danae offers a smile, tipping her head to one side and offer, "They came back alive. That must be a testiment to their skills. Were those battles as pitched as I have heard?"
"I can't really say when it comes to the battle when we took the Grey Garden on Harlaw, since I was a bit out of it from that aforementioned duel," Martyn replies. "But the battles on Pyke were quite pitched, yes." He nods a little bit, before he adds, "Especially since the Greyjoys were fighting for both their homes and their lives, against the gathered might of the entire kingdoms."
"That does sound fearsome," Danae murmurs thoughtfully. "I should like to hear more of it another time…?" If he is weilling, that is. "However, for now I must get along my way. It was a pleasure, Ser Mallister." The small Westerling smiles up at Martyn, dipping in a curtsey.
Martyn nods as he hears that, offering a bit of a smile, "It would be my pleasure," he offers to the part about hearing more about the battles, before he adds a bit of a bow. "Of course. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Westerling. Have a lovely day for what remains of it."
"You as well, Ser," Danae bids, rising gracefully from her curtsey. Then the Westerling Lady slips off into the square, a flutter of blue amid the bodies until she disappears from sight.
