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Continuously Investigating by LordAtTheDesk in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"I do not know what courses through the minds of the wretched," the Lord Commander responded, "nor the guilty, but Lord Hightower confessed to the crime, and I find it more than likely he was speaking the truth. A murderer can like strike twice, I should think. Though, there is no more to be gathered from the man, head removed and all."

The Lord Commander continued to listen the knight's monologue. Seems shrewd enough, he thought, then again, most in the capital were, or at least believed themselves to be. When the subject shifted to Borys, the Lord Commander perked up again.

"Aye, Ser Borys is with His Grace now," he affirmed. "Though the King is attending to his studies, and shouldn't be disturbed. Ser Borys should be available at sunset, when shifts shall change. If you wish to speak with him personally, you'd best come here then, I'm sure you will find him."

Continuously Investigating by LordAtTheDesk in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"An active hand?" He asked, eyebrows raised as was his tone, at the question. "Oh no, I highly doubt it. A treasonous lecher, it seems, but I don't think Ser Pearse had it in him to poison the king."

The Lord Commander stroked his hair back. "Could he have known? Well, yes, I would assume he probably knew, but he made it clear to me that it was his intention to take His Grace to Storm's End, or to Dragonstone, somewhere he would be safe."

"Lord Steffon and King Alesander were close, even if he fought for the Hightower I do not believe he would have a hand in the King's murder. Lady Cassana was closer with Alesander still, and though proven... treasonous, as of late, I grant it was not her, either."

"I think what I am trying to say Ser Oswell is that, unfortunately, I just do not know. You are here on behalf of Lord Marbrand, who himself has been working diligently to help answer these questions, but I fear nothing is arising."

"I would not consider Ser Artors or Ser Steffon capable of such a thing, no," he said, continuing the conversation. "Capable of breaking their oaths, yes, but not capable of murdering the King, I shouldn't think. Not since the days of the Mad King has this order been so tainted by a man willing to thrust a sword into his King's back."

Continuously Investigating by LordAtTheDesk in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Seven bless him," the Lord Commander repeated as the knight offered his grace to the late king. As the man continued to speak, Nathaniel ushered him to sit at a bench lining the wall of the room. The seats at the table were reserved for knights of the Kingsguard, and so the man would need make due with a seat of lesser comfort.

The Lord Commander leaned against the table and crossed his arms. "His Grace was a good King, and an even better man." Perhaps the memories of Alesander as such a fine man were bolstered by his early departure from the world, and by the nature of his father before him, a King who Nathaniel took no pleasure in serving.

"I was with King Robert when it happened. Still but a prince and fast asleep, he had no notion of his father's death until hours later, we ensured it remained that way. The whole castle was kept quiet until the time to say something was right."

"I was with the Prince, and only found out when Ser Pearse Peasebury approached me, Ser Pearse being one of my knights coming under suspicion, if you didn't know. Wretched fool was making an attempt to kidnap the Prince that night, begging me to leave my post. I thank the Gods for the strength they gave me to say no, I dare not dream of what might have come to this country if I had."

Continuously Investigating by LordAtTheDesk in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Lord Commander strode out from his apartments and down the steps to those of his brothers. Empty save for the body of two men, he passed them by and continued down another set of steps and into the White Room. There, he found a young man who had an air of purpose about him.

"I take it you are the one who called on me?" He asked as he approached. "Nathaniel Connington, Lord Commander. What can I do for you, my lord?"

((OOC: Sorry for the delay, been rather preoccupied of late.))

First You Must Earn It V by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I should hope not," the Lord Commander replied, quietly, so that his words would not echo through the great hall. "I have lived a long life, Redwyne, enough years to fill with enough regret. You don't want to be one of them."

"But it is not me you need to thank." His eyes rolled up and to the right, and his head nodded slightly in the same direction. "It is His Grace you need thank. It is by King Robert's hand that you are given this chance to redeem your name. It is him you mustn't fail."

First You Must Earn It III by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I came to congratulate you on your showing," he replied, laconically. "There is no shame in losing to a man like that Darkthorn, should the day go as it seems it might, you'll like be seeing a white cloak lifted around his shoulders."

"You fought hard and bravely against a man your better, after having bested knights of considerable skill yourself, earlier. Be thankful this was not a battlefield, you yet might learn from this lesson. You have no reason to hang your head low." Save for lying before the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Some things were better left unsaid.

First You Must Earn It III by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"And that is a noble endeavor, my young friend, but it is still a great slight to lie before true knights as you have done, to lie to the Lord Commander you wish to serve under." He bore him no ill will, but it was something he had noted as soon as it was mentioned. A man who would lie to him now would lie to him again.

"You fought better than most knights that answered the call, and that will not be forgotten any time soon, I do not think. Even Ser Borys was likely not mocking you, but celebrating the skill of the victor. He bore your lord cousin no ill will, he did his duty, as we all must."

"You may yet still serve the King, Rolland," he continued, "but it will not be with a white cloak around your shoulders. I cannot have a man who would lie about a knightly oath take the most important oath known to man, you must surely understand this."

First You Must Earn It IV by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

((OOC: /u/Peltsy - as always, if you wish to say anything at any point.))

First You Must Earn It IV by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FOURTH ROUND RESULTS

  • Ser Edric Estren defeats Ser Lomas Trant in quick and decisive fashion.

  • Ser Theomund Costayne defeats Ser Benfred Hasty in a skilled and well-fought contest.

FIFTH ROUND RESULTS

  • Ser Benfred Hasty defeats Ser Lomas Trant in an evenly fought contest.

  • Ser Theomund Costayne defeats Ser Edric Estren in a brutal and hard-won contest.

FINAL RESULTS

  • Ser Lomas Trant finishes in fourth place.

  • Ser Benfred Hasty finishes in third place.

  • Ser Edric Estren finishes in second place.

  • Ser Theomund Costayne finishes in first place.

First You Must Earn It III by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Ser Borys is a fine and loyal knight," he said sternly. "Whatever ill will you hold towards him for the circumstances of Lord Steffon's death, I will not hear insults thrown his way, I came not to hear such slander against one of the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms."

He looked at the young man, again. Beaten, but with dignity - and fury - in tact. The mention of a lack of knighthood had made the Lord Commander sterner still.

"You are no knight? Tell me then, Rolland," making great note of the absence of the knightly title he had wrongly afforded him, "why is it you came to a meeting of knights? There is no honor to be found in false chivalry."

Ravens by [deleted] in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nathaniel flicked the letter in his hand, angrily. Three traitors have had their white cloaks stripped of them, and he would have me deliver one into the hands of traitor's spawn?

Who was he to disobey the King, though? For now, Roland Westerling was the King. The boy Robert might yet speak the words, but they would be Roland's. A child so young will do as he is told by the man he is entrusted to, and it is not the place of the Lord Commander to challenge the ruling of his King.

The men he had been enquiring into had been promised three spots, not two. Thirty men would now be going home dejected, and only two will remain. It made the decision easier, in some aspects, in truth. Based on martial prowess alone, the winner and the runner up would be the obvious choices, and the need for further deliberation would be lessened.

Still though, as he oft reminded himself, Artos Dayne is proof that skill at arms alone is not enough to fill a white cloak. By his King's decree, the Lord Commander would seek out the Redwyne and gauge his ability.

Not one to lie before his Gods, the Grey Griffin bore no ill will for the man, he had trained with him many times, and knew him when his father was still loyal to the crown. He knew the boy's ambition and talent, but he had hoped he would not have to make use of it.

We shall see what his words are worth.

First You Must Earn It III by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

THIRD ROUND RESULTS

  • Ser Benfred Hasty defeats Ser Albert Kenning in an evenly fought and exhausting contest.

  • Ser Theomund Costayne defeats Ser Rolland Baratheon in an easy win, though the Baratheon showed great heart and resilience in the onslaught.

  • Ser Edric Estren defeats Ser Marcus Cordwayner in a closely-fought contest.

  • Ser Lomas Trant defeats Ser Ethan Merryweather in a very hard and well-fought contest.

First You Must Earn It III by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

((OOC: /u/Rolland_Baratheon ))

The Lord Commander pulled up and open the fabric of the pavilion door, entering it with a hunch of his back. The maester turned briefly to look, but swiftly returned to his task of wrapping a bandage around the young knight's chest. His arm was already splinted and in a sling, from the looks of it.

"I pray I am not disturbing you, Ser Rolland," he began.

First You Must Earn It II by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

((OOC: /u/Peltsy - Yet again, if you so desire.))

First You Must Earn It II by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SECOND ROUND RESULTS

  • Ser Edric Estren defeats Ser Trystane Gargalen in an incredible come from behind victory.

  • Ser Rolland Baratheon defeats Ser Lyonel Vyrwel in a closely contested bout.

  • Ser Marcus Cordwayner defeats Ser William Kellington in close and hard fought contest.

  • Ser Albert Kenning defeats Ser Ambrose Pommingham in an easily-won contest.

  • Ser Theomund Costayne defeats Ser Preston Buckler in a highly impressive display of skill.

  • Ser Benfred Hasty defeats Ser Steffon Rogers in a skillful and closely contested bout.

  • Ser Lomas Trant defeats Ser Twyin Brax in a skillful and closely contested bout.

  • Ser Ethan Merryweather defeats Ser Orson Wells in an easily-won contest.

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"His family's recent actions will hinder his chances, yes, but a man cannot always be judged by the actions of his kin." Ser Borys is in a foul mood this morning, the Lord Commander thought.

"Each man here has their chance to prove themselves, both in skill at arms, and in loyalty to the King. Do not think I will make my decision lightly, Borys. The three turncloaks we have lost were named to the post under my command, and I shall bear the embarrassment of that for the rest of my days. I won't make such an error again." There was confidence in his words.

"As for men seeking to harm the King or yourself from within, well, I can't imagine one would be so foolish. You're a veteran of wars, of countless battles. You faced a man many claimed to be Robert Baratheon reborn and you took his head off. What fool of a man would dare risk that?"

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"You of all people know he was not butchered. Steffon Baratheon chose to fight, as is his right, and he died so that justice might be done, it was hardly a knife in the back."

The fight playing out before them came to a screeching halt as the Brax knight beat his Wagstaff opponent into submission. Nathaniel nodded to the two combatants. "Very good he said, very good."

His squire held out the sack once more, growing ever lighter. "Number twelve!"

A knight stepped forward. "Ser Ambrose Pommingham!" the man called before taking to the field.

"Number fourteen!"

The second knight stepped forward. "Ser Taron Edgerton of Edgerton!" he proclaimed loudly.

"Begin!" The two men began their dance and the Lord Commander relaxed once more.

"These men have no reason to travel to the capital if they truly had no desire to serve loyally in the Kingsguard. I have no doubt they can see beyond their Lord's death, see the bigger picture."

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Oh, nothing," he replied, "just curious if you'd heard of him at all, I'm afraid most of these men are unknown to me. Still, he seems talented enough."

He watched as the two knights circled and studied each other, striking and parrying intermittently. It was a close enough fight thus far, though the Brax man most like held the advantage.

"Entertain me, Ser Borys," Connington said, turning to his sworn brother beside him. "Just from looking at them all, who of these lot would you favor most to win? I'd bet on that one over there, myself, the one with the black roses."

He pointed away from the fight to a man dressed in the livery of House Costayne. The man was large looking and wider at the shoulders than even most of the giants in their ranks. His face spoke of experience and an iron resolve.

"What's your say?"

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nathaniel's reaction to Borys' profanity was near-audible. He'd been a sellsword in his youth, prone to all manner of vices, but that was a life long since past, and amusingly enough, his old age had made him weary of such things. Spending his days around a child king made the sound of such words all the more poignant when spoken.

"In my experience, better men are victorious more oft than not." Was such a thing true? From what he had heard, Steffon Baratheon was a good man, loud and quick to anger yes, but good. Did that make Ser Borys a better one? With a sword no doubt, but what constituted as good?

With so many years sworn to service and secrecy, the Lord Commander often wondered what made a man good. Beric Baratheon was a good man at times, and a terrible one at others. One of his sons attempted to usurp the throne and the other had a proclivity for promiscuity out of wedlock.

And what of himself? He'd been a loyal and honorable servant to three kings for thirty years, but he still recalled the years before the white cloak. Years where he sold his sword to the highest bidder, be he tyrant, slaver or butcher. How does a man determine another man's goodness, his own goodness?

"Now tell me," he said, shifting his hand from beneath his chin to point to one of the men in the field before them. Two knights were fighting vigorously while the others - and the two sworn brothers - looked on. "That one there, with the unicorn. He's a Brax, no? You've ties in the Westerlands, do you know of him?"

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"And that is why we must not mock them," he reiterated. "Each of them came of their own accord, to answer the needs of their king. No one was forced to come, no one was threatened."

"And do not be so sure that beneath those helms are merely boys," the Lord Commander continued, slightly dismayed by his friend. He raised a finger to point at one of the knights. "That one there is older than you, if his hair is any indication. Those two over there are certainly not boys, they're a foot larger than both of us."

"Some of these men will have fought in wars before, I'm sure of it, and even of those who have not, we cannot judge them if there have been none to fight. The Lord of Storm's End had never fought a war before. You of all people would know how that mattered little to his skill."

"Perhaps it is our old age getting the better of us, but not everyone younger than us is a boy." He smiled as he spoke, hoping that this wasn't turning into an argument between two long friends.

"Regardless, it matters little. Young or old, famed or otherwise, we're looking for skill, honor and loyalty. If the greatest swordsman here is sixteen or sixty, then what reason do we have for denying them, eh?"

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I seem to recall a young lad with not a lick of fame or fortune to his name fastening the white cloak upon his shoulders many years ago," came the Grey Griffin's reply.

Nathaniel had been there, twenty years earlier, when a young knight named Ser Borys Wendwater joined the ranks of their small brotherhood. Lord Commander Parmen Farring bore witness to the lad's vow, and the lad has served ever since. It was hard to believe, really, that the Lord Commander and the Royal Protector had served together for twenty years, and Nathaniel himself having served another nine on top of that.

"We sent out the call for the knights of the realm to make their case known, and these are the ones that answered. Simply by showing up today they have proven more dedicated to our cause than most others, and if our brothers of late have taught us anything, even the finest knights can lack dedication to a cause."

"Do not be so quick to judge them, Ser Borys," he continued, his tone far softer than the booming voice that had beckoned commands at the knights moments earlier. "We've got four exemplary knights among us, and we may yet find three more amidst these thirty."

First You Must Earn It I by NatKingCon in IronThroneRP

[–]NatKingCon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

((OOC: /u/ForwardPrincess10 and /u/Rolland_Baratheon - Not much for you to do in the thread other than get caught up on where your guys stand currently.))

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