| Gift Horses and Leavetakings |
| Summary: | Rafferdy Nayland is off to…somewhere. |
| Date: | 06/05/289 |
| Related Logs: | The Stonebridge ones probably obliquely, none specifically. |
| Players: |
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| Northern Flood Fields — Stonebridge |
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| Through small foot paths north lead to flood fields, some rolling hills but treachours areas where the rivers filter in to create small marshes. The area is hard to navigate if one has not traveled it before. A few scrub trees mark the landscape but on the higher hills stands of majestic beeches and oak offer shade and canopies for weary travelers. |
| Sun May 06, 289 |
Rafferdy is standing in the clearing, playing his vielle. It's a slow, sorrowful tune, and he seems to be struggling to get it right. There's a bit of an annoyed look on his face as he does so, and at one point, he pauses to repeat the same few measures several times in a row to get it right. Near a tree a few yards away are two horses, both fine stallions. One is fully saddled, and has traveling bags hanging from it's side, along with several crossbows and a quiver of bolts. "Damnit, come on…," Raff mutters as he tries to play the song.
Jarod was bidden to come meet Rafferdy, and to meet him he comes. When the tune reaches his ear, when he's still a little away from the lord, he slows and tries to whistle along with it. He doesn't quite get it right. Finally he just lets out four high-pitched, straight whistles to announcement his presence, once he's in view.
Rafferdy drops the vielle from his chin, holding the instrument in one hand and the bow in his other, looking back at Jarod. He smirks, shaking his head, "I swear, I CAN play." He chuckles, "This one's kind of eluding me."
"Good day, Fun Nayland." Jarod flashes Rafferdy a quick, easy grin. "What's the tune? Can't quite place it."
Rafferdy shrugs, "It's a folk song. Not sure where it's from. I first heard it from a peasant in Tall Oaks a few years ago. Heard it again last night from a guy traveling with the Blackwood party, only he was singing it. It's about leaving home. Kind of hit a chord." He smiles, and kneels to begin placing the instrument back in its ratty old case. "I'm leaving, Jarod."
"Leaving?" Jarod is more puzzled than anything else. "Why? I mean…are you off on some errand for your family? Back to King's Landing or…something?"
Rafferdy shakes his head, "I don't know. I'm not sure where I'm going." He closes the case, and then carries it to his horse, strapping it to the satchels. "I'm being a bit childish, so understand, I know that. But…" He shakes his head, and turns back to his brother-in-law. "Something's happened with my family here. They're… I don't know. I feel like they're all either in cahoots plotting something or they're just stupid. Maybe some of both. It's…" He sighs, "I'm kind of feeling alone."
"Seven hells…" It takes Jarod a minute, but it finally dawns on him this is a rather real thing happening. He breathes in deep and lets it out slow. "You're serious? What do you mean…plotting? What do you think's going on?" His hand goes instinctively to his sword though, after a moment's thought, he realizes that's probably silly.
"Easy, brother," Rafferdy assures, with a smile. "I don't know that they're up to evil. I don't think that's the case. I just think… It seems like they're so wrapped up in this matter with Danae…" He sighs, "I don't take well to being told I'm an idiot by the guy that slept with Gedeon's wife the day before their wedding."
"You talking about that matter between Lord Riordan and Lady Danae? Between the sheets, I mean." Jarod grins at his own joke. Though he tries to keep his focus on the serious. He gives his head a slight shake. "Lord Rafferdy. Raff. Of course they're wrapped up in it. She wants the land that they figure is by law theirs, with the challenge settled. As for Lord Riordan…well…" He shrugs. "He's in love. It's like a mental disease. Can't properly be held responsible."
Rafferdy tilts his head a bit, "You… He's in love? He's in love with her? With Danae?"
"Think so," Jarod says. "We got to talking and, err, drinking in the garden at Tordane Tower, when I went there to talk with him on some…other matters. He's offered me a place there, as a knight for the Stonebridge lands. I'm giving a lot of thought to accepting. If my wife approves." But as for love. "Aye. I mean, I suppose he could be lying. Trying to cast doubt on the parentage of any child she might carry. But…" Shrug. "…I don't know. I've been a lovesick idiot before. He had the look about him."
Rafferdy nods, "That's interesting. Huh…" He chews his lip a moment, in thought, before slowly nodding. "I um… I realized that I hadn't gotten you anything. For your wedding, I mean. I know, it wasn't like anyone was invited, so I'm sure you don't expect anything, but, I feel like it's right to get you something to welcome you to the family."
"He's rather fucked when it comes to that one, I think. I figure she was either entirely duped by Ser Gedeon or…well. She knew everything he was. And in that case, she scares the seven hells out of me." Jarod sighs. "I'm hoping the Tully man settles this business quick." Though he sounds like he doubts it. Mention of a present makes him perk, however. "You didn't have to do that. Was kind, though. What is it?"
Rafferdy listens carefully, and then, "I heard about what happened with your father. Ro was telling me he stripped you of everything. That makes returning to your duties as a knight a bit difficult. I've no doubt you'll earn the equipment you need that you lost, but…" He walks over to the bare horse and pats its side. "This is Loblolly. He's a good horse. Named after a fast growing type of pine tree that stands tall and strong." He smiles, "Thank you for making my sister happy, Ser."
"Raff…" Jarod is taken aback. He walks up to the horse, laying a hand on her neck. "I…thank you. Your family has been more gracious to me than I ever imagined. But I can't accept this." He turns back to the Nayland lordling. "When I was knighted, my father gave me everything. A horse, my armor, my sword. He did the same for all his sons. And I tried to earn it through my service to him but…a knight should gear himself. Or he's no proper knight at all. It'll be hard but…part of me's rather looking forward to making my own way to buy my own horse and gear. Either by swearing myself to Stonebridge or doing jobs for merchants or…in some other way entirely." As for the last part, he beams. "She makes me happy. I hope we do right by each other. And she'll miss you terribly if you go so…take a few days at least to consider it. Talk to her, at least, to say a proper good-bye if nothing else. And to your brother Riordan if you can. His heart was running high, but he's calmed down some now."
Rafferdy furrows his brow, "You think putting up with my sister isn't EARNING this?" He slowly smiles a little.
Jarod gets a laugh out of that. But he shakes his head. "Would be, except she has to put up with me in return, so in the end I think it's kind of a wash. We're both messes, just different sorts of them."
Rafferdy pats the horse, and then nods, "If that's how you feel, I won't disrespect your wishes." He smiles, "I'll make sure you both know where I end up. Who knows. Maybe it'll be back here. I just…" He shakes his head, and he mounts his horse. "I'm being childish and stomping my feet," he finally says, with a light laugh. "I think maybe I accidentally started playing the game, and discovered it's time I grow up. I dunnow…" He shrugs, "I'll be around, Jarod." He smiles, and prepares to ride off.
"Say good-bye to your sister!" Jarod calls as Raffery rides off. Though he doesn't try to stop him anymore then that. He stands and watches him good, arms folded across his chest. He sighs heavy. "See you around, Fun Nayland."
Rafferdy rides off, and it may take a moment for Jarod to realize it, but he left the horse.
