| Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside |
| Summary: | Words are exchanged between Dafydd and Nares, but yet more is left unsaid. |
| Date: | 10/12/2011 |
| Related Logs: | None |
| Players: |
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| Coastline, Terrick's Roost |
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| The Cape of Eagles looms out over Ironman's Bay, a vast, blue ocean inlet, that spreads its watery depths out beyond the horizon. The path that leads down to this coast winds down behind the towers for several hundred meters before arriving at the rocky water's edge. Rather than sand, the coast is covered with innumerable smooth and rounded stones about palm-sized. They stretch up and down the coast in all directions with the battered remnants of driftwood scattered about. Above the beach, one every mile or two, are towers with a large bell and mallet atop them which are to be beaten to warn of an incoming invasion. A small dock is being constructed of thick northern timbers, with mooring space for two large ships, or perhaps a half dozen smaller craft. |
| Sat Dec 10, 288 |
It's not too bad a day all told, but down by the coast there's a definite breeze. It blows onshore as is the general want of such things, bringing the salt spray with it. Minus cloak, as, let’s face it, the billowing would just get annoying, Nares is stood a little to one side of the path down from the green. His eyes are fixed on the horizon to the west, almost as if he's looking out for something. There's nothing to be seen there though, but the water meeting the sky. Oh, and a few sea birds.
Every time, it seems, when Dafydd visits the Roost, it's here he ends up to check on the building of the docks. Coming down the hill, he checks the keep over his shoulder, and slides down the rest of the way. A lot of timber has gone into the docks, and exactly how much more is needed is still a question that remains unanswered. The figure on the coast is not recognized as of yet, but as he approaches the dock area, the form of Nares becomes more familiar.
As Nares becomes aware of footsteps heading in at least his vague direction, his sword hand drops just that little bit closer to the hilt. One man he reckons and hale of body given the regularity of the step, beyond that though… well, he'd have to turn around. He takes a deep breath of the salt air and turns his head towards whoever is approaching. His expression contains none of the joviality that had briefly crossed it the night before and neither darkens nor lightens as Dafydd is sighted and identified. He does nothing for a few moments, and then offers the Camden a brief, shallow, nod of the head in greeting.
He was planning on checking on the dock construction at a closer inspection, but with the Ironborn thus identified, Dafydd breaks off and approaches. The hand upon the sword, while noted and accounted for, doesn't serve to unnerve him, and as he closes the distance, greets the other man. "Master Nares.." He gestures with his head off the coast, "Expecting a ship to come and pick you up, or simply willing that one does so and hoping someone on the other side catches your thoughts?"
"One ship?" Nares asks in reply leaving the rest unsaid, he hops it's explicit enough as it is. Turns away from the noble and back to the sea he then thinks to add, "I thought it might be interesting to see from the other side." He can imagine it in his head, swarms of his people over running the construction and beach. He smiles ever so slightly to himself and relaxes his hands a bit. The tension is still in his muscles though, ready to react in case the other man makes any sudden or unexpected moves.
The question, after his discussion with Sarojyn, sounds a great deal more ominous, and taking a deep breath, he holds it for a long moment before releasing. "One ship." Following the Ironborn's gaze back to the ocean, he also looks out across before turning his gaze back to the docks. His tones are even, conversational.. nothing amiss caught in the meaning of the question in regards to numbers of ships that may arrive. "They're working quickly on the construction of those docks. Soon enough, they'll have it completed and then the port can be used for all sorts of things." He pauses, then, "Like trade."
Nares turns his attention to the construction as it is brought up and watches for a few moments before replying. "And we all prosper from increased trade." n conversations with Lady Kathryna he has heard other things, but there's no need to mention those right now he feels. His gaze moves upwards briefly as a gull passes overhead, announcing it's presence to all nearby then he turns his head to face Dafydd once more. His tone flat, but not harsh he adds, "I meant to thank you for the company on the ride. Your concern for my well being against your Riverland bandits was appreciated." Yeah, that’s exactly what he thinks the large number of nobles and armed men were for. Just that.
"It's true, but there's only so much wood that can go around. Our forests are thick and wooded, but it is a delicate balance between our necessity and the Roost's needs." Dafydd shrugs, and as Nares offers his flatly expressed gratitude, the Captain gives something of a half-smile that doesn't quite reach the blue eyes. "If I had known you were the Lady Kathryn's sword, perhaps I would have encouraged you to take the roads by yourself? A stranger in a strange land, and I wanted to be sure you reached your destination."
Nares' initial response to that is to laugh. Not derisively, and not in Dafydd's face, but it's clear that something the Lord said has amused the Ironborn. He doesn't milk it though and a few seconds later he smiles, the amusement still clear in his eyes. "Kate," the use of her name rather than an honourific is chosen carefully, "hardly needs a man to be designated as her sword, she's more than capable of looking after herself." And with that he lowers his estimation of the man slightly, surely he'd noticed that? Hmm, or maybe she's playing soft to real him in… That’s something he's going to have to think on.
"Oh.. then you're not a better sword than she." Dafydd's response is deadpanned, his expression non-committal. "Good to know. I guess I was wrong because the Lady Tiaryn was mistaken with her introductions." The Camden's Captain of the Guard looks out onto the water, his tones casually conversational. "Then my Kate is the right one to work with our women, to teach them to fight. Not that I approve. A lady really shouldn't take arms, but one does what one has to."
"Our skills are.. complementary," Nares replies, some amusement still present, especially as he searches momentarily for the correct adjective. He wonders if Dafydd is trying to get him to expound further on his exact role then turns back to the sea as a slightly change in the breeze catches his attention. Squinting slightly to watch the clouds for a moment he states with certainty, "there'll be rain before the night is through." Okay, not such a wild noting given the location, but still, he seems confident enough. Were his companion another Ironborn, he'd make some comment about 'and that’s why Riverlands women are good for nothing but begetting bastards to crew the oars', but he isn't, so he doesn't. Instead he states simply, "If you say so."
"Ah.." Beat. "Complimentary." Dafydd inhales deeply, and exhales in a quiet sigh. "Rain came out of the north last night. Off the sea means it'll be colder." So much for his knowledge of the sea and weather. He's a forest man. He stands quietly before putting his hands behind his back, looking out on this water. "Kate is a remarkable woman. Very intelligent." He doesn't add 'for a woman'. "She'd make a man an interesting wife. It certainly wouldn't be boring.. or quiet."
Colder, and saltier too, oddly. Still there's a metaphor there for wind battered invasion from the west. Probably. However, not being a man of metaphors, Nares replies simply, "I've yet to meet any man who could tie 'her' down to marriage." Okay, so Dafydd might be the latest 'thing' and brakes might need to be found and applied to ensure she doesn't do anything she might then regret once something else has taken his place, but then that’s Kate.
Oh, Dafydd hasn't missed the metaphors, and certainly not after his talk with Sarojyn. In a way, in a really bizarre way, it makes him feel a little better… but certainly no explanation would be forthcoming. "She may be quite easy to tie down." In one way or another. "Given the right circumstances, a proper proposal with benefits to all. She doesn't seem like a child playing at womanhood.. at all." The Captain makes a soft sound in his teeth and turns to his momentary companion on the shoreline, "Master Nares, I must take my leave. Duty calls, and I must needs respond." He has to meet with his Lord.. and it's coming up to the time that he'll discover what will happen to their niece Liliana. "Be well, and I'm sure we'll speak again." Turning after his farewell, he does turn his back on the Ironborn and begins to head back towards the cliffs and beyond.
