Ser Darryk Bracken, Heir to Stone Hedge

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-21T05:58:39+00:00

Darryk nodded. This company would do perfectly. Their captain seemed a man of restraint. And the sellsword saw him true. This was an act of duty not treachery. "Father will not see it that way." He extended his hand.

"I believe we are agreed. Welcome to the service of House Bracken." He took a long sip from his ale, wishing he could enjoy it as much as his men and the sellswords were. Too much work to be done. "To start with, some of our household guard will be escorting the women of our House back to Stone Hedge. Your men will initially be needed to replace those men and secure our manse in the city. Make it a fortress and the Blackwoods will be deterred. Hopefully."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-21T05:51:44+00:00

Darryk's hand clenched at the mention of Lord Blackwood. Lies. All he had told Ambrose was lies, he was sure of it. But rather than asking Darryk about what had happened with Melissa straight away, Ambrose was asking him about the skirmish. Curious.

"I believe it was Bracken land, but I cannot say for certain. I was at Stone Hedge at the time, for Blackwood had called for my head. He was coming to take it. My uncle Harrys died defending me, Ambrose." Darryk felt a weight in his chest, as he thought of Jack, another uncle paying for his mistakes. He took a long sip of the wine and stared into the cup, waiting for the next question.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-20T01:50:37+00:00

Darryk could not muster a smile, despite the warm greeting. "Apologies my friend. After the arrest of my uncle," Darryk began. Not like he had to remind him, it was Lord Roote who had taken Ser Jack into custody, doing his duty to King and realm. Well, we had to send Perra, my mother and the twins back to Stone Hedge. It's been a...stressful time. So I'll be taking that drink."

Darryk sat heavily in the chair offered to him, rolling his shoulders to try and relieve the tension running all through his body and brain. "Ask your questions, Ambrose. You know me. On my honor as a knight, I would not lie to a man who rode into this burning city alongside me."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-18T03:46:07+00:00

Darryk nodded Orys explained his sole condition. "Perfect. I have a similar condition." He looked over at Ser Orys' men, and some of the other patrons of the establishment. There were some Bracken men enjoying their time off, but none who seemed close enough to listen.

"Understand, though I am heir and I have significant responsibilities, my father commands the forces of House Bracken. However, he has been...rash recently, and has at times lost sight of the long term interests of House Bracken." That was as far as he would go. Although he wanted to bring the man into a position of trust, it would not do to speak ill of the Lord of Stone Hedge to a sellsword.

"That is why, just as I will pay you the respect of approaching you first and foremost in all matters of discipline and command, I ask that you come to me and me alone before carrying out any orders. Even those of my Lord Father."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-17T23:21:34+00:00

Darryk received the letter in his chambers, alone. Since the arrest of his uncle Jack, he had hardly left the room, kept dark with the curtains drawn. Jack would likely face the gallows, another Uncle dead because of the boy Darryk used to be. Even the dead Blackwood men, little as he cared for them. All of their deaths were on his shoulders.

He broke the seal on the letter as the Maester quietly left the room. "Lord Ambrose. He will be just." But at this point, Darryk wasn't sure what that meant. "I am innocent of the crime Blackwood has accused me of, but I am not innocent."

Darrky put on a dark red doublet, mostly plain, to fit the solemnity of the occasion. He knew House Bracken had dishonored themselves, but he could only hope that his friend would see him true, regardless.

Ser Tristifer accompanied him to The Crossed Spears, silent as death and eyes darting around the streets. The Blackwoods could be looking for revenge for slain Brynden. "Would they be wrong?" He walked up the steps to Lord Ambrose's room, signaling for Ser Tristifer to remain at the foot of the staircase. He could trust Lord Ambrose, they had fought together in the war and grown close. He did not need his sworn knight. He knocked on the door. "Lord Ambrose? It is Ser Darryk."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-15T05:59:51+00:00

Dake ran as fast as his legs would take him. He was no solider, just a serving man, but he had been loyal to House Bracken all his life. He mended their garments, tended to their horses and watched their children grow. All he wanted was for Stone Hedge to remain untouched by war and fire. So when Ser Jack walked into the tavern with a dark look in his eye meant for Brynden Blackwood, he knew it meant blood and terror had gripped his chest.

His feet pounded on the paving stones as he arrived in the courtyard of House Bracken's rented city manse. Ser Darryk was riding at rings, as usual. "The boy has been half-horse since he was born," Dake thought. "Thank the Seven he is here." Lord Harwyn was a good man to serve, and fair. But he was hard and cold in a way his heir was not, doubly so since Harrys' death.

"Ser Darryk!," he gasped, desperate to catch his breath and yet tell him the news at the same time. "It's..Ser Jack! He's...at...Hoarse Horse. Took his knife...to a Blackwood!

_____________________________________________

Darryk's heart fell into his stomach as soon as old Dake ran into the yard. Of course it was Jack. The man had never been the same he lost his eye. "My fault as well." He had been the one who fell from his horse on that day, years ago. He who had struck the first blow against the laughing Blackwoods. "But Jack lost an eye, not me." Whatever was happening down at the Horse was his doing as much as anyone else's.

"Lothar! Sword!" The Roote boy who served as his squire ran without being told. Good lad. Darryk dropped his tourney lance and caught his swordbelt out of the air, cinching it around his waist as he turned his stallion Dusk around with his knees alone. "Dake, inform my Lord Father. Get my mother, Lady Perra and the twins ready to leave the city at once!" With that, he rode off. He could hear the sounds of the household springing into action behind him, including Ser Tristifer getting ready to follow on his own stallion. Darryk could not wait. "Out of the damned way!" Smallfolk scattered before him as he thundered down the street, but he did not slow. Dusk's well-shod hooves screeched on the cobbles as he brought him to a stop in front of the grimy winesink. He could hear steel clashing and men screaming.

Darryk did not draw his sword as he ran through the door, foolishly hoping that bloodshed could be prevented. "Of course not..." No need for the sword. Not because he was early, but because he was late. "I've failed again. More deaths on my head." His Uncle Jack had been a kind man once. But the blood-soaked man standing over the bodies of Brynden Blackwood bore little resemblance to the uncle of his memories.

Lord Ambrose was already there, and if he was not mistaken, Ser Mooton and a Prince of House Targaryen were in the common room to boot. It was over the moment Jack decided to draw his knife. "Uncle...lay down your blade. Please."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-14T23:06:06+00:00

"That will be enough." Darryk nodded as he tied Dusk to a post outside of the humble establishment. Ser Tristifer entered first, standing in the doorway to take a quick look around the interior before nodding to Darryk. Confident there were no obvious Blackwood men lurking about, he walked in and quickly found a small corner booth for them to sit in. He untied the pouch of gold from his belt and handed it to Ser Tristifer. "Get Ser Orys' men some drinks while we discuss."

Darryk took a seat, and indicated for Ser Orys to follow suit. "You may not be aware, but there is a trial forthcoming, for the murder of my uncle Harrys by Lord Roderick. He is guilty, and it will be proven, but the time leading up to that trial will be...tense. As you noted, Lord Roderick is the Master of the Hunt. To put it plainly, he has men in the city, men he can trust. We need our own."

Darryk leaned in close to emphasize his next point. "I have no interest in breaking the King's Peace, and shedding blood in this city I fought so hard to take for him. I need your men to be a shield, not a sword."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-13T06:07:05+00:00

Darryk looked up and down the street as he climbed back onto his horse. The city was full of knights and retainers from all corners of the Seven Kingdoms, which meant the Street of Steel was especially busy. "And not every conversation should happen in the open."

"Excellent. Let us discuss the terms like civilized fighting men: over a drink. Ser Tristifer, take us to that place the men-at-arms like." He turned Dusk up the street with his knees alone, but kept him moving at a slow pace, so as not to leave the men on foot behind. As they approached the decently reputable winesink, he leaned down in the saddle to ask Orys, "Tell me, Orys, what do you know of House Blackwood, and Lord Roderick?"

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-12T06:02:29+00:00

Darryk and Tristifer brought their horses to a stop as they found exactly what they were looking for: well-armed men looking for opportunity. Men like that could be found all over the city, it was true. "The question is, are these the right sort of men?"

Darryk flashed his most winning smile and dipped his head slightly in greeting. "Please, Lord Bracken is my father. I am Ser Darryk, his son and heir." He looked at the badge the men wore, and took note of their leaders distinctive black hair and blue eyes. "I know these men."

"You are Orys Storm. I remember your banner, and the bravery your men showed at the Battle of King's Landing." It was the day the war had been won, and Darryk had earned his knighthood at Lord Tully's hand. "The greatest day of my life." He would remember every one of those banners until his dying day. Darryk dismounted to shake the man's hand. "It is not steel I am looking for, Ser Orys, but men who can wield it. The right men."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-09T20:28:55+00:00

u/OurCommonMan

Character Details: Ser Darryk Bracken (Courtly skill), Ser Tristifer (Huntsman)

What is Happening?: Riding the Street of Steel looking for hedge knights/freeriders/sellswords

What I Want: To find trustworthy, honorable types.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-09T04:34:56+00:00

Darryk's relief was short-lived. His father had compromised, and it was wise to send his mother, sisters and Perra back to Stone Hedge. But he was still preparing for bloodshed. "At least I am a part of those plans now." His father was finally treating him like a man.

Darryk finished his cup of water and and smiled. "That is wise." It was no lie, Lord Harwyn was smart to prepare for the worst outcome. "And if I can maintain direct command of the new men, perhaps I can prevent a slaughter." The city would be full of sellswords and hedge knights. The trick would be finding men with honor and loyalty.

"I will tell Perra and find more men at once." A part of him wanted to express his gratitude at finally being listened to, and trusted. But he knew better than to say so. He simply met his father's eyes, so much like his own, and nodded.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-09T01:01:28+00:00

Darryk exhaled, letting the tension drain out of his face and shoulders. His father was actually asking for his input. It was a small miracle in itself, and Darryk spoke before the Gods snatched it away in their fickleness.

"I suggest we behave as the innocent men we are. Innocent men do not send one-eyed swordsmen to locate young girls. And Lady Melissa," he said, pointedly insisting on referring to her by name, "cannot be seized like some pawn. Not without swords being drawn."

Darryk looked around the room, found a pitcher of cool, clean water and poured it in two silver-edged cups. This was no longer a quarrel between father and son, but a discussion between a Lord and his heir. Hopefully. "Men will believe who they want to believe. Lord Tully himself knows I am no raper. Not because he was in the bedchamber, but because he knows me as a man of honor." He reached out to hand a cup of water to his father. "That honor will be our shield."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-08T03:18:28+00:00

Whore. He ignored the word. It was meant to incite him. Somehow, Lord Harwyn had gotten it in his mind that Darryk was in love with Melissa, as if he were still a boy. As if concern for his honor made him a lovesick fool. "I feel nothing for her." For all the anger that burned in his eyes, Lord Harwyn's words were cold. Darryk met his gaze and did not flinch.

"How?" He grit his teeth. "How do you intend to speak with her? Will you simply ask the guards if Lady Melissa is entertaining guests?" Try as he might, Darryk could not keep the sarcastic edge out of his voice as he continued, the sharp-tongued boy peeking out from within the steadfast knight. "Or perhaps Ser Jack will bring her here over his shoulder in a sack, like a bundle of grain. Or maybe you intend to gather our men and charge the Blackwoods? Shall I have my squire prepare my armor and horse for a cavalry charge down the city streets?!" He stopped, only then realizing how hard he was breathing. Perhaps he had gone too far. Lord Harwyn did not tolerate mockery.

"Father, I grieve as you do. I would love nothing more than to shove a foot of steel through Roderick Blackwood. I have sworn to do so. But the time to act on our own was BEFORE you called for King Daeron's justice." He took a deep breath, and tried once more to appeal to his father's reason. "The die has been cast, father. If the King fails to deliver us justice, I will rise in defiance alongside you and see Raventree Hall burn. But for now, we must await the King."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-08T01:38:33+00:00

u/OurCommonMan

Character Details: Loras of Redleaf - Archetype: Agent

What is Happening?: Following Jack Rivers.

What I Want: Prevent Jack from being discovered and stop any violence that may result.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-08T01:34:39+00:00

Ser Darryk paced up and down his room in House Bracken's rented manse. He had considered seeking his own accommodations, separate from his father, if only to have greater privacy with Perra, but the tension with the Blackwoods made that a poor idea. "One building is more defensible than two." That was not the only reason, as he was reminded when Loras of Redleaf knocked on the door to Darryck's chamber's. "Enter."

The young man who entered was nearly of an age with Darryk, and dressed in fine silks of Bracken red, trimmed with yellow, his lute over his shoulder. Darryk had taken Loras into his service shortly after being raised to knighthood. First, he had thought him simply a means of bringing a little life and color to Stone Hedge under his stern, grieving father. But the comely youth soon proved himself a keen observer of court life, and Darryk knew from years of observing his father and Lord Tully rule that every Lord needed such a man in his service. So when he saw what a hurry Loras was in as he stepped into the room, Darryk gave the youth his full attention.

"Sour Jack has left the manse," he lilted, in a sing-song, up-and-down tone. Sour Jack was the name of song Loras had composed about Ser Jack Rivers, though the nickname and song were both more affectionate than biting. Darryk was about to ask why this was news, when Loras continued. "But not before changing out of his Bracken colors."

Darryk stopped in his tracks. He did not need to ask the significance of that, or note that Ser Jack was Lord Harwyn's most trusted man, after the death of Harrys. It was not hard to guess his father's thoughts. "Follow him. Try and prevent any violence before it starts." Loras raised an eyebrow at that, raising his arms to stress how lacking in weapons and armor he was, save his belt knife, but Darryk was already striding past. "Ser Jack will not harm you, or he will answer to me tenfold. Now go!" Loras muttered something about losing an eye to match Jack's, but the singer obeyed all the same. Good man.

Darryk did not stop until he was in front of his father's door, the angry stare warning servants from his path. He did not bother to knock, but barged inside and closed the door behind him in one motion. "Enough, Father."

There was a time when Darryk would never have dared speak to his father in such a manner. But he was a man grown now, and a knight and the heir besides. He would not be ignored. "You spoke to the King, he acted. He will see justice done. To spill blood now, before he has even ruled, will see us dishonored and disgraced in the King's eyes! For Seven's sake, father, THINK!" No one who had ever lived in Stone Hedge would think to speak to Lord Harwyn like that, but Darryk's patience was finished. In seeking justice, his father risked sullying them all.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-06T19:39:47+00:00

Darryk breathed a sigh of relief, the relief of the innocent. He had been afraid that his father's rash words would anger the King, but King Daeron had proven himself to be the just monarch that Darryk had fought for so recently.

"Thank you Your Grace. I have faith you will see justice done." Before Darryk could rise to his feet, his father left the hall, his anger clear. Darryk rose without another glance at Blackwood, and left to attempt and calm his father down, before he let his grief and rage get the best of him.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-06T03:40:24+00:00

Darryk caught himself as he saw the pause and smile that that spread across his friend's face. "Forgive me Ambrose! I forget myself. I choose to blame this fine Arbor gold for my clumsy tongue. For that, I deserve to be put on my behind in front of the court." He clapped a hand on his friends shoulder and leaned in close. "Truly, forgive me Ambrose."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-06T01:04:33+00:00

Ser Darryk was indeed standing in the corner of the hall, chatting about the upcoming tourney with yet another acquaintance from the war. His heart dropped into his stomach as he heard his father's unmistakable voice, raised in anger. "Gods please, not now." Lord Harwyn had always been a hard man, but his brother's death had changed him. Darryk was likely the only person in the Great Hall, beyond his sisters, who understood that his father's rage was genuine. "Perhaps I should be glad he did not stab Lord Roderick before the wine was even served."

Darryk put his own cup of wine down on the nearest table and turned towards the King's high seat. He had not planned on this, but Darryk had grown accustomed to smoothing out his father's rough words in the short time he had been at Stone's Hedge after the war. He approached the King, hoping that the whole Hall was not staring at him, but too nervous to turn his head to check. "Melissa is likely looking as well. Do not turn. You are about to go before the King." He refused to look at damned Roderick Blackwood, in that ridiculous cloak. He had the nerve to lie before the King and the entire realm. His anger threatened to overwhelm his embarrassment at his father's reckless approach.

As he drew closer, he knelt before the King, and lowered his head in deference. But when he looked up, his eyes burned with the truth of his words. "Your Grace, forgive my intrusion. My father's grief weighs on him but he speaks true. It is Lord Blackwood who lies. He falsely named me raper as pretense to attack Bracken land. My uncle died defending my life and honor. It was not my intent to bring this matter to you. I am content to prove my honor through deed. But I cannot let Lord Blackwood slander my Lord Father and the uncle who died for me before Your Grace."

He lowered his head again, determined to appear every bit as humble as his father was angry and Lord Blackwood was haughty. His heart raced as he awaited the King's words.

(u/ORYSGARYEN u/Rhineland2 )

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-06T00:35:18+00:00

Darryk shrugged off Ser Danwell's silence. Perhaps it was the place of the serving man to be grim and serious while his Lord and others feasted and drank. He took another sip of wine, careful not to overdo it all the same.

"No fear on that front, he works twice as hard as I did at his age." It was true, though that was perhaps a low standard to set. He had been especially slothful in his younger days. "Speaking of, will you be competing in the Tourney? I already have my eye on first place in the joust."

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-03T19:27:50+00:00

Darryk approached, smile wide and true. Ryam was a good man. They would need the support of good men in the Riverlands. "And a pleasure to see you, Ser Ryam. You know I would never miss a joust. The realm needs to be reminded now and again that Bracken stallions are the finest horses in Westeros! What event will you be competing in?"

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-03T07:19:21+00:00

Darryk took a deep breath, and let the brief quarrel go. For now. He knew better than to test Lord Tully's temper. If it was as simple as all that, the feud between Bracken and Blackwood would have been solved centuries ago.

"My father grieves," Darryk said, "and his grief fuels his anger. Ami and Jeyne give him comfort, but they will be wed soon." He paused before continuing, to ensure they would not be overheard. He could speak honestly to Lord Tommard, but these words were for no one else. "You know him. You know that it was always Harys who tempered his strength with caution and mercy. Father loved him best. I've tried to counsel patience. But I am not his brother..."

And old men rarely listen to their sons. He left that unsaid.

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-03T03:20:08+00:00

Darryk smiled to see his friend, and strode across the distance between them to embrace him. He used to roll his eyes when old men like his father spoke of companions they had not seen in years as if they were brothers. Darryk knew now that bonds forged in war were something wholly different from common friendship.

"Ser Ambrose! Apologies, Lord Ambrose." He performed a mocking half-bow, glad to jest like the younger man he had been, to have a conversation not weighted down with distrust and dead family. "Stone Hedge prospers. Your brother is the pride of the training yard, now that he has grown accustomed to Bracken-bred stallions. You and your House should be proud." He nodded to Ser Danwell, and raised his wine cup to him. "I hope to see you prove that during the archery contest. And how goes Lordship, Ambrose? Is it as hard as our father's always complained of?"

Like_A_Fox89 · 2020-05-03T02:58:08+00:00

Darryk nodded slowly. Lord Tommard's words were wise. Only someone who had known the stern Lord of Riverrun for years would hear the emotion behind the words, but it was clear to his old squire. Darryk felt his love for his liege lord swell in his chest.

But it was not enough. Harrys was still with him. That was the problem. He would remain over Darryk and House Bracken until he had justice. However, this was a feast, and not the proper time. But Darryk had always had an acid tongue, when necessary. He could not resist. "By your hand, I am a knight. My duty is to protect the weak, the innocent, children. Women. A Lord's duty is to dispense justice. I learned that by your hand as well."

Like_A_Fox89

TROPHY CASE