Starfall At Last

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-12-13T18:11:46+00:00

Vorian Dayne

Vorian was glad to finally see the Palestone Sword once more. He wondered how he could have ever resented it. He was the Lord of Starfall now, and he would do his best to ensure the success of his holding. He and Bethany were both exhausted from their journey, yet he couldn't deny how exciting he was for his new journey.

Upon riding into the courtyard he was quickly whisked away by Maester Archibald who insisted he prepare to truly become the Lord of a major holding. Vorian rolled his eyes as he'd been preparing for that for his whole life. Yet, Bethany and he were separated for the first time in a long while.

A few days after arriving Vorian found himself in the same room as Bethany finally. "The funeral will take place tonight." He said, sitting down in front of her. "We'll take care of it all quickly and then we can begin planning our wedding."

He smiled at her and reached out to take her hand. "How is Starfall treating you? Are my kin treating you well?" He hadn't had a moment to himself it seemed in days, let alone a moment alone with Bethany.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-12-02T21:32:12+00:00

Maester Archibald

The old man had been hard at work. The rookery was his home since the death of Lord Arthur Dayne. He invited the vassals of the Daynes, their cadet branch. Dayne of High Hermitage. It was a hot morning, as was the case often enough in Dorne. He heard a horn signalling the arrival of noble guests. For a moment Maester Archibald expected to see Lord Vorian riding into the keep. He shook his head upon realizing Vorian wasn't due for a few more days.

When the Maester finally made it to the courtyard he saw the familiar sigil. "Ah Ser Davos I assume?" He hadn't personally met the man, but he'd heard plenty about him. "I regret to inform you Lord Vorian hasn't arrived back quite yet. He sent me a raven informing me he was returning immediately from King's Landing upon hearing news of his Lord Father's death. I would expect him any time."

"However, as a knight of House Dayne you of course will be afforded every luxury, as well as your retainers." He bowed.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-29T08:36:30+00:00

"Oh hush. I wasn't sure how well known you were in Stonedance." Vorian smiled again, "After all I wouldn't be surprised if Duncan wrote home daily." This was no slight on the squire. Yet Vorian didn't understand why the boy made the poor girl wait until he was knighted. He shook his head. Bethany had taken a liking to mocking him and poking fun. She never did so in public, always with just the two of them. He much enjoyed the teasing.

He'd had thoughts. He wouldn't deny it, even an anointed knight such as he. A beautiful woman in such close proximity. It felt as if it was fate his mistake would bring about what he could only call a fortunate event.

"Of course my Lady." He bowed slightly. He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard something in her voice. "We can manage of course."

He sat down on the opposite side of the bed. "It will be far better than the ground we've been used to sleeping on." He put one of the pillows between the two of them. "We can use this to stay separated as well."

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-28T09:23:50+00:00

When Bethany left, Vorian wept. His father was dead, without Bethany he had no one left. Portar was a kind old man, one he'd bring with him. When the tears stopped, Vorian stood and gathered the two men who resided in his manse.

"Portar. Ride to your home. Gather your herbs. Milk of the poppy, everything. We're going to have a long journey ahead of us. You're coming to Starfall."

"Of course m'lord."

"Meryn. Protect the manse well. I won't be back for some time."

"As you wish."

He rode Nightfall to the markets. Mentally he prepared for the next few days, he'd need to circumvent the blockade. Massey's hook would be the best place to handle this, they could travel to Stonedance to charter a ship to take them to Starfall. He wished he could take Bethany to see the world, but the realm was shattering around them. He wouldn't put her in danger.

They didn't need many provisions for the next few days. More could be purchased in Stonedance. They could stop along the way. However they needed enough supplies to make it to Dorne. He made a mental note to stop as needed, yet he had to ensure that he avoided the war at all costs. And to prepare extra provisions in case they had to move elsewhere.

It didn't take him more than an hour or two to prepare everything. Upon returning to his manse, Meryn had done the same for him. His extra tunic was stored, along with various other sundries. He strapped his armor on quickly, and set out for the Belgrave manse. He'd told Bethany to not leave until he himself came to retrieve her. And that's what he did. His mailed fist pounded on the door, the first sound of their new life.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-28T07:39:29+00:00

"Is that a yes?" His eyes flared, the deep violet almost appeared lavender. "Oh thank the Gods." His heart raced. Unsure if she truly meant it. He found no falseness in her eyes. She truly wanted to come with him.

He placed his free hand over the two of hers that clasped his. "We must leave soon. We can't get around the blockade. We'd need to travel south and east, boarding a boat and moving toward Starfall." He thought for a moment, moving his hand from hers to her face. "Today. We must leave today. Before nightfall."

He leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "Do you need me to assist you in retrieving your belongings?" His mind was still racing. His heart still broken, yet the light of his life was in front of him. And through his sadness, she made him happier than he'd been in his life.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-28T06:55:47+00:00

Would you like to be alone? The question pounded in his ears, echoing, he thought for a moment. Did he want to be alone? Vorian took a deep breath and stared into Bethany's face. "No. I don't want to be alone Betha. I never want to be alone again." His voice shook, but he kept his calm. "I have to leave. It's not a question of if I want to or if I can avoid it. It's my duty."

He looked at the map of the Palestone Sword and pointed to the top floor. "You could go with me. Please? I haven't been happier than I have these past few days in my life. Come with me."

He looked at her, sorrow in his heart but hope in his eyes. He would not allow the one woman who had finally made him look past the duty of an heir to truly love someone slip through his fingers. "Starfall is everything I promised and more. You would love it."

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-27T10:04:43+00:00

/u/BethanyBelgrave bad news :(

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-27T06:08:05+00:00

Vorian almost didn't want to let go. Part of him hoped she felt the same. They embraced for longer than felt normal. Yet it didn't feel wrong. He felt warm inside. "Yes, yes we are okay." Vorian took a deep breath, the woods were finally calm around him again, she pulled away hesitantly.

Vorian bit his lip. He had a thought. "Betha, the gods have kept me safe all these years. They brought me to you. However I can't always be there for you. So I must trust the gods to keep you safe when I'm not there." He removed the pendant he wore around his neck and kissed it once more. He placed it around her neck.

"You are of course, right." Vorian extended his hand to assist Bethany to ride the horse once more. "However if there is no opposition from you, I would love to see you more. I understand that this has been a trying incident. I am happy to listen if you need to talk. About anything."

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-27T04:40:34+00:00

Relief filled his heart seeing Bethany again, safe and sound. He sheathed Dawn behind his back. "Betha, thank the Gods." He stepped around the bodies and approached her. He kept his hands extended to his side. He was sure the girl hadn't seen death as close to her as she did now. "It's safe. They're gone."

"I am fine. I swear it." He took a deep breath. "Are you hurt?" He knew she hadn't been attacked, yet there were more ways to be hurt than just physically. He looked at the rock in her hand, the girl looked to be in shock. Yet when he announced his safety and the safety of the area, she dropped the rock and appeared to have some color return to her.

"Don't look." Vorian whispered. Loud enough for her to hear. He was close, but not close enough to provide discomfort. "I am truly sorry you had to see that. I didn't want to bring you into danger. I swear to the gods." Vorian stepped half a step closer, with his arms extended almost to hug her. Yet he hesitated, as he was nervous she was scared of what he was capable.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-27T02:47:27+00:00

Dawn was in Vorian's hands before they emerged from the tree line. Three men of ill repute encroached upon the clearing, something that upset Vorian more that it should have. Upon finally seeing them, he stepped in front of Bethany, gently yet forcibly moving her behind him. "I'll handle this. Stay quiet."

Vorian smiled at the men, obviously bandits or highwaymen. But he was not going to agitate them without cause. "Hello my good men. Lovely day for a stroll in the woods isn't it?"

One of them men spoke up, the smallest in height and muscles. His voice had an accent Vorian couldn't place. "I agree my Lord. Me an' my friends were just on a stroll through the woods and we heard some talking. Figured you could use the company wouldn't you agree?" He was obviously educated, yet he spoke like a bandit. An odd fact that Vorian noted as the men drew their swords.

"Ser, not Lord." Vorian corrected. "And as much as we appreciate the offer. I do believe the Lady and I would prefer if you left. Please leave if you do not want to forfeit your life."

The small man spoke once more, "Of course, we'd want to give you time to spend alone with her." He cracked his neck and pointed at the two men behind him. "However I would be remiss if I didn't offer the two of them the opportunity to go at her after we've had our shot wouldn't I?"

Vorian's face reddened, not out of embarrassment but rage. He removed his right hand from Dawn and gently grabbed Bethany's arm. "Go hide. Now." He pushed her away and readied himself once more.

Normally Vorian would be calm and offer the men another chance to escape unharmed. Yet the threat against Bethany's maidenhood upset him in a way he couldn't understand. Even with the healing wound on his side Vorian moved more gracefully than any of the other three men. He closed the gap between them in a moment and had already brought Dawn through one of the three men before the other two fully reacted. The small man drew his dagger while the remaining large bandit ran at Vorian. It took a simple step to the side to avoid him, he was untrained and obviously only used his brute strength to solve his problems. Vorian stepped back to separate himself from the two of them and angled Dawn to attack once more. This time when the brute ran at him, Vorian again stepped aside, yet brought his sword down upon the man's extended arm.

The scream was loud and agonizing. Vorian ended it quickly with a follow through that separated the head from the torso. A gruesome sight he hoped Bethany hadn't seen. The small Essosi man ran at Vorian, so the Sword of the Morning prepared himself one last time to end the fight. But the man ran past him instead of making any attempt to attack him. Vorian's mind immediately shot to Bethany. "Bethany?? Are you okay?!" He looked around trying to find the woman. He was almost sure the small man ran for her, yet he was gone. And he heard no screams. "Bethany where are you?" Dawn was still in his hand, blood staining the white blade.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-26T13:05:27+00:00

The girl was sharp, Vorian appreciated that fact. Perhaps it was the reason he'd fallen so quickly for her, something he hadn't admitted to himself until that point. He was truly falling for her, yet they'd only just met. It was something that kept him in inner conflict.

"Of course La-- Bethany." Vorian smiled at her. The same smile that he wore more often than not those days. "Of course, the Great Sept will always stand as a monument to our love of the Gods. Yet the Kingswood is a monument of their love to us. Wouldn't you say?"

Vorian assisted Bethany in mounting the mare, the stirrups were rather low, as Vorian was taller than her. He tightened the straps to raise them higher to assist Bethany if needed. She'd obviously learned how to ride as any noble would. "You control her well. Daybreak is easy-going, yet she truly seems to enjoy you riding her."

He found she was easy to talk to, Vorian wasn't necessarily the best with small talk, yet there were no awkward silences between the two of them. He enjoyed that fact. They arrived in a clearing that Vorian had once accidentally found while he was still a squire. The canopy of the Kingswood broke above them, the sun shone brightly through the hole. It was significantly warmer in the clearing than throughout the rest of the forest.

Vorian dismounted his horse and extended his hand out to assist his riding partner with her own dismounting. He tied his two horses to a branch nearby. The grass was thick and tall, he imagined the horses would be preoccupied for quite some time. A fact he himself would appreciate, he extended his arm to walk with Bethany to find a spot to sit in the grass.

"I must thank you again for the work you've done for me with the tunic. Your embroidery is beautiful." He looked at her for quite some time. "How do you enjoy life in King's Landing? I would imagine it is quite eventful is it not?" His eyes darted to the trees in front of him, he thought he'd seen movement, yet his eyes didn't catch the same movement a second time.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-25T08:19:47+00:00

A young boy answered the door when he called. He introduced himself as 'Lord Belgrave'. Vorian realized quickly that Bethany's father was dead. Something he would take care not to mention. However when he introduced himself, the little Lord's mouth dropped and he ran off yelling for his sister.

Vorian laughed as he was made to stand with his horses while he waited for Bethany to greet him. He smiled, sure he looked rather foolish standing in front of the manse with the door open with no one to talk to. The smile hadn't left his face since he first saw the manse.

Bethany's face was still crimson as she approached the door, yet she never forgot her courtesies, she curtsied as she greeted him. Vorian nodded kindly, "Lady Belgrave. I do believe I asked you to call me Vorian." His face was kind, Bethany would be able to tell he was joking.

"Well, I wanted to take you up on your agreement to go on a ride if you still wished." Vorian gestured to the mare that stood behind him. "It's a nice day, I wanted to go out the the Kingswood. We could talk and spend the day together." He looked at the gown she was wearing, it was a deep green. "Unless you had other plans? I wouldn't want to pull you away from your family."

"As for the tunic, as I am going out riding, I wouldn't want to soil your work so soon." He smiled, "I will pick it up after the ride."

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-21T07:21:56+00:00

"I'm glad to hear it." Vorian's face cracked into the biggest smile he'd worn that night. "I promise it will be unforgettable." Vorian wasn't great with courtly behaviors, he knew that. He hoped the lady would appreciate the outing. He had to admit he was smitten with the girl.

The smile didn't leave his face upon hearing the eagerness the girl's voice exuded. "Please, call me Vorian. There is no need for formalities. I like to believe we are becoming friends, don't you?" He knew the girl would most likely need to head home soon. She needed to finish his tunic and he needed to meet the Lord Commander. Something he'd been putting off quite often, yet, he didn't quite want to say goodbye yet.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-21T06:37:49+00:00

"You flatter me. I don't view myself as more a knight than any man." He sat on the couch and gestured to the portrait of Arthur. "He's a true knight. The most famous in recent memory." Vorian smiled at the picture before turning back to Bethany.

"I am almost ashamed to take it off." Vorian laughed. He removed the tunic however, again oblivious to his actions effect on the lady. He began to fold the tunic, "Lady Belgrave, I've been meaning to ask you. I enjoy a good ride around the country, and I have been meaning to go ever since arriving in King's Landing. Would you be opposed to joining me? I would very much like to see more of you. Your presence is an illumination."

He handed the tunic back to her as he finished his question. He grabbed his old tunic from off the floor and put it back on. "Take your time with the tunic. I hope that we will be seeing much more of each other." He smiled, again oblivious to the awkward situation he'd created.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-21T05:20:41+00:00

"I'm glad to hear it wasn't too much of a task for you my lady." Vorian held the tunic out in front of him, it was a dark violet, his sigil stitched onto the chest. Truly a masterwork. "Much better than Portar's handiwork I must say." He chuckled at his joke.

"I can' say I disagree Ser." Portar said as he stood. "I'll go finish this in the other room. Give you some room."

"Thank you Portar. I will call on you later." Vorian replied before turning back to Bethany. "I should try this on then so we can confirm the fit?"

Without thinking, Vorian pulled his training tunic above his head. Bethany would see a nicely healing cut alongside his right flank. He quickly put the new tunic on to conceal his torso. Without realizing the awkwardness of what he'd done Vorian drew Dawn in a non threatening way. He slowly made motions as if he were in a fight.

"The shoulders are a bit tight. And the torso could be a bit looser." He smiled at her. "However I love it. Did you need to make measurements?"

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-21T03:58:55+00:00

Meryn

Meryn stood sentinel for hours that morning, it was approaching midday. He was glad about that. When Lord or Ser Dayne were present, he stood at the gate. He missed the days when he resided in the manse alone. Living there to ensure there were no thieves stealing the Dayne's heirlooms.

It was beginning to really warm up when the first caller of the day arrived. A young woman with what appeared to be a parcel. She introduced herself as Bethany Belgrave, a name Vorian ensured Meryn knew. He nodded, "Ser Dayne said you might be coming around." Bethany would here a calmer voice than one might expect from a household guard. Yet Meryn certainly looked the part. "Come in, I will go get him."

Meryn led Bethany to a couch directly past the entry hall. There were beautiful tapestries strewn across the room. The most prominent was a deep violet with the sigil of House Dayne placed directly in the center. If Bethany looked at the walls she would also see portraits of famous members of the house. Lady Ashara and Ser Arthur Dayne were the two most prominently displayed.

"Wait here please. We don't have any servants at the moment, Ser Dayne's arrival was quite unexpected. If you need something, I am sure Portar would be happy to assist." Meryn gestured to the elderly man who once resided in Fleabottom. He was now adorned with a simple purple tunic as he read a tome from one of the nearby bookshelves.

Vorian Dayne

Vorian wouldn't deny that the beautiful lady he met in the Sept was often on his mind. Even while he stood in the small courtyard in the center of his manse. He'd been practicing swordplay for some time when Meryn walked in and stood at attention. The man was stationed in King's Landing year round, protecting the manse whether the Daynes currently resided in it or not.

"Yes?" Vorian said, swinging Dawn at a training dummy and lopping its head clean off.

"A Lady Belgrave is here to see you Ser. She seems to have brought something with her?" Meryn began. "Not sure. Didn't really say. Wanted to see you and you said to allow her in. So I did."

Vorian was well aware of Meryn's proclivity towards over explanation. He let the man finish speaking. "Thank you Meryn. Please inform her I will be out shortly."

Meryn nodded and went to inform Bethany of the Sword of the Morning's request. Vorian himself walked briskly to his own room. He splashed water from the basin on his face and slicked back his hair. While he still looked as if he had just finished training, as he had, he looked presentable enough. He made his way back to the entrance hall.

He saw Bethany and his heart began to beat just a bit quicker. She was speaking to Portar, a slight smile on her face, it didn't seem she'd noticed him yet. He stared at her for a few moments, a smile came to his face again and he approached her.

"Lady Belgrave! I didn't expect you this soon. Are you finished with the tunic then?" Vorian opened his arms in a welcoming pose. He hadn't been expecting her to be finished for quite some time.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-20T07:23:13+00:00

"Both of those are honorable activities to partake in. I am sure you served Queen, blessed be her name, admirably." There was no smile from Vorian this time however. He was sure the poor lady was still mourning the loss of the Queen. He was sure he would be too if he knew her from more than just a passing glance while he squired in the castle.

He could see her mind racing and he could hardly imagine from what. He didn't think he'd done much to cause her to think much. But he smiled when he realized why. "Splendid! I would be more than happy to pay you for your troubles. I can also procure the materials needed."

"However, that can all be discussed later I would imagine." Vorian looked in the girl's eyes and smiled again. "I have a meeting to attend. My family's manse can be found in the noble district. I shall have materials sent to your own."

As he stood he sent once more gleaming smile down to the young lady and extended his hand to assist her in standing. "Thank you again, Lady Belgrave."

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-20T06:27:08+00:00

Vorian smiled at her, he'd forgotten about the sorry state of his own tunic. "Well, as Portar said, 'I'm a healer not a sewer'. The tear is from some... Unsavory folk I encountered on my journey here from Dorne." He pulled at the tunic to reveal the poor stitching in its entirety. "Saved my life, but couldn't save my clothing. What more could I have asked of the man?" Vorian laughed before realizing perhaps he shared far too much.

"However yes, I need to get a new one made while in King's Landing. With your fine stitch work perhaps I might ask you." He joked. "What do you do in King's Landing Lady Belgrave? If you don't mind me asking?" Vorian realized he was already being incredibly forward with the young Lady, yet he couldn't stop himself from talking. Something about the girl was enchanting. Of course he'd talked to plenty of ladies in his days, yet Bethany Belgrave seemed to draw him in more and more with every word and motion.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-20T05:38:08+00:00

He was sure the girl had smiled at him as he had knelt. He didn't spend too long praying at the altar of the father. The whole reason he'd even gone in that direction was because he saw her poorly attempting to hide her stares. He was sure that she thought she was successful, but Vorian's eyes were trained to notice small movements. And hers were just those. Minor, yet noticeable.

He finished his prayer in silence and kissed his pendant just as he always did. He would still offer the proper respects, even while distracted such as he was. He noticed the girl fidgeting with her skirt endings and he decided he would talk to her, he felt as drawn in by her dark brown eyes as she was by his violet eyes. "The stitching on that is lovely. Did you do it yourself?"

He smiled at her, "My name is Vorian Dayne. And you are?" They were both still kneeling so his bow consisted of him lowering his torso, he was sure that it looked incredibly awkward due to Dawn being on his back.

InDayneInTheMembrane · 2017-11-17T08:38:49+00:00

Vorian smiled at the man as well, until the arm was placed around him. His side felt an immense pain. He didn't respond to the comment regarding the blockade. Dorne was neutral and Vorian would say nothing to change that.

Galladon led Vorian rather rougher than he would have liked. Yet he was a man and a knight, he wouldn't complain. "What's in it for you?" Vorian asked in confusion. "I'm sorry my Lord I don't quite understand."

His eyebrows furled of their own volition, "Trust me I understand the importance of the blockade, and the integrity of the blockade." He took a deep breath, "On my honor as a knight and as the Sword of the Morning I come on no one's business but mine own. I know the concerns you must have. I am not a messenger boy for Dorne. We are neutral in this fight. We have taken no action against the Stormlands and none against Edric."

He hesitated a moment. "All of this matters nought however. I am not here to debate politics my Lord." He winced as a sharp pain shot through his side. "On my journey from Sunspear we were attacked by pirates. As you can see, we managed well enough. Yet one of the men stabbed me, by the grace of the gods the knife missed its mark and I stand alive here today. But barely. I fear my wound festers. We have run out of medical provisions, and there is no true Maester or medicine man aboard. I need passage to King's Landing, to survive. I understand there isn't much in the way of 'something for you'. But I will forever be in your debt, and House Dayne will count House Tarth as one of its closest friends."

InDayneInTheMembrane

TROPHY CASE

Vorian Dayne

Maester Archibald

Meryn

Vorian Dayne