| Watcher on the Walls |
| Summary: | Jacsen checks in with Hardwicke on the walls. |
| Date: | January 12, 2012 |
| Related Logs: | Bump in the Night and The Battle Ebbs |
| Players: |
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| Courtyard — Four Eagles Tower |
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| The Courtyard of Four Eagles Tower is floored with a fine grey stone that match the color and tone of the interior structure of the castle's yard. Plants have been potted and placed around the entrances to add some color, the greenery accompanied by several trellises of flowers that climb the support columns. The most prominent structure in the area is the set of large slab steps that lead up to the great oak doors of the Great Hall. Several hallways and accesses lead off into different sections of Four Eagles which makes this the hub of noble activity when court is not being held. |
| January 12, 289 |
It has been a day of assessment and regrouping, and Hardwicke has refused to stop working for most of it since he awoke. Now the sun is set, darkness fallen over the horizon, but he is still to be found on duty. At this moment, he is on the walls with his men, checking in with them, seeing what he can see of the Ironborn encampment. There is little indication of injury with his bandage covered by his tunic, though there are a few moments he holds it carefully as he works.
Though he's not been seen outside in some hours, Jacsen did spend a good part of the morning and afternoon doing much the same, making the rounds with the wounded once they were patched up as well as the Maester and his sundry assistants might manage, inspecting with others the damage done to the gate and just how the Ironborn managed to get over the walls. Then, for a few hours, he disappeared in the Tower, emerging in the evening and now, eventually, climbing the stairs up to the wall. He's hard to mistake, a sound most are growing rather familiar with, the sound of his cane rapping upon stone in a steady rhythm with each step he takes.
It's certainly the sound that gets Hardwicke's attention, and he begins a sort of slow, subtle wander towards the top of the stairs. It is only once Jacsen is near that he greets him with a tip of his head and an even, "My lord."
"Good eve, Ser," Jacsen greets the Roost's Captain of the Guard as he crests the stairs, reaching for the stone of the wall to steady himself as he does, wincing slightly as he draws his right leg up and over the final step. He directs a glance over the wall, and asks, "Have we seen much of anything from them since last night?"
"No, my lord," Hardwicke answers him, a grim set to the line of his mouth. His gaze slides away in polite appearance of distraction when Jacsen winces. "They seem unwilling to engage us in open battle for the moment."
He nods once to that, seeming satisfied with the answer. "Well, that's something at least. They are beginning to learn, I think," Jacsen opines, glancing back over his shoulder at Hardwicke, "That our men, and a few of our women besides, are much harder than they reckoned. I take comfort in that, Ser. I think we all do." He lets out a breath, and looks back out towards the reaver-infested village.
There is a distinctly displeased twitch to Hardwicke's mouth when Jacsen mentions the prowess of certain of their women. "Well, they have less men than when they started, my lord," he says. "We retain the advantage as long as the walls stand. I'm not surprised they attempted a sneak attack."
"I take it things are not settled between you and your betrothed, Ser?" Jacsen asks at that unpleasant twitch that claims Hardwicke's features. He remains resting upon the wall, turning a bit to angle himself to better face the older knight.
"It's fine, my lord," Hardwicke says, a vague grouch settling on his features at having to linger on the embarrassment. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
Jacsen draws a slow breath and nods. "As you like, Ser," he says somewhat tersely, straightening and reaching for his cane. He glances once and then twice across the wall and the men stationed there before he decides, "I shall leave you to your work, then."
"If there is nothing else you require of me, my lord," Hardwicke says, a certain frustration knotting tension in his shoulders.
"No, Ser. You and your men seem to have everything quite in hand," Jacsen assures Hardwicke, dipping his chin to the man. "I will take you from it no longer. Do not hesitate to send word should there be anything you or your men need." He does not linger though, heading towards the stairs, leaning heavily upon his cane.
"As you wish, my lord," Hardwicke murmurs. He watches Jacsen's exit for a few moments before turning his attention back to his men and the various tasks at hand.
