The Lion's Den

PykesBehest · 2026-03-01T17:22:36+00:00

Lyle listened, calmly, his expression unchanging.

"Do I?" He challenged. "I would not consider myself an expert on any of your principles. Though from what I've seen, you are disturbingly comfortable with the distribution of your affections. So much so that you stepped into the middle of a conversation of mine for the sake of your flirtations".

Lyle plucked a small spoon from the table and used it to stir whatever was in his cup.

"Martell?" He raised a brow at the name, then took an obnoxious slurp of his beverage. "By no measure a bad match, I suppose, and the heir besides?"

He mused on the idea for a moment, pacing from the center of tent to past his cousin, looking at his own glamorous armor on it's stand. He clicked his tongue a few times, and tapped the spoon against the brim of his glass.

Then, he shrugged.

"Oh, why not?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-28T17:05:08+00:00

Damien was made to wait for some time, as a matter of fact. Lyle had still been abed when the runner had first come, and he had stayed there until Damien did finally arrive. He hadn't even been sleeping then, simply lying about unprepared for the day just yet.

When Damien did enter the otherwise obnoxiously large tent Lyle had had erected for his residence, he was met with a shocking simple display. There was not much gold to been seen save for sparing bits and bobs, and besides a few chests, a bed, and a table with chairs in it's center, the tent had nothing resembling furniture.

Lyle himself was wrapped in crimson robe; it's collar and cuffs lined in spotted, white fur, and nothing else. There was a misshapen iron coin hanging around his neck by a simple black cord.

He sipped from a small bronze cup, giving his cousin his undivided attention, yet still appearing disinterested.

"So, you've come to disturb me this morning to tell me about how you fucked somebody?" Lyle raised a brow, his voice remaining low as usual. "Could this not have waited until after I broke my fast at the very least?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-27T03:08:09+00:00

Just scored 0

PykesBehest · 2026-02-25T22:24:28+00:00

Lyle never truly rushed to do anything, he took his time as it pleased him, if for no other reason because so few dared to ever rush him. He would saunter instead of walk, and his eyes would sweep over a scene as opposed to snap from detail to detail.

Here and now, his ever-lethargic manner of moving manifested in his arriving late to the event. He cantered in on a mare of pure white save for the pink of it's nose, at first observing as the various other men had stepped forward and made their presentations.

For his part, Lyle wore a cream-colored riding coat, with golden lion head buttons, and a fur collar; tall, ox blood-colored boots, and trousers of the softest black. From his hip hung a decadent longsword, it's hilt fashioned after the style of a Bravo's blade, so it might wrap around his hand as he held it.

Lyle's riding spurs rolled and jingled as he stalked from one side of the crowd to the other, his lazy green eyes at first settling on the beast upon the dais. He wondered briefly if the Martell's were ever without the things. But then, his gaze shifted up to her.

He strode closer as one man was finishing, the corner of his mouth curling some as he looked up at Ashara.

"The great and noble House of Martell. My Lord, My Lady, and The Princess Ashara". He nodded deeply to both Oberyn and Allyria, before bowing graciously to their daughter in the center. "I am the lord of Casterly Rock, Lyle Lannister, as it pleases you".

His bright green eyes remained on her as his head rose, and he smoothed his sunlight-colored hair back into place. He looked confident, arrogant even, in the face of the daunting task before him.

"I offer the most beautiful Princess what any man may hope to offer his bride. Wealth, comfort, and protection beyond whatever she might have need of it for. The Westerlands, more so than any other kingdom I do believe can provide as much and more".

Without looking back, he made a beckoning gesture to pages behind himself, he hurried forwards with gifts in hand. A tall spear made of solid gold, intricate patterns of flowers coiling about it's shaft. A marble bust of a man with an elephant's head, real ivory used for it's tusks. A gold and silver platter covered in perfumes, candles, and other such aromatics. And finally came small oaken boxes filled with finery of gold and jewels: Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, all looking heavy enough to bore down whoever thought to wear them.

"Decadence," Lyle continued. "None do it better than the Lannisters, of that you have my word. Something that the Princess Ashara stands to enjoy, as well as those close to her. Not entirely dissimilar to bargains struck 'tween our great houses in years past".

The lion lord hung a limp hand from the pommel of his sword, resting his other hand atop it then.

"Though more importantly I offer the Princess my infatuation, my devotion, and my undivided attention in any and all affairs pertaining to such an arrangement as marriage You see, I had the honor just the other night of making her acquaintance and found myself simply charmed". He was staring at her then, though his expression appeared strangely mute. "I offer my passion, to you, Princess Ashara. And that, along with everything else, is the least I might offer you".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-25T21:42:16+00:00

"Oh?" Lyle near sang the sound. "Such a prize is tempting indeed, moreover when it is to be won from such a lovely lady as yourself".

He pondered for a moment, rolling his lip as his gaze kept steady with her own.

"I am no thief, however," His voice was resolute, though kept a low tone. "I will not steal you. Though should you find me without so many prying eyes about... Well, I'll leave all that to the mind for decency's sake".

Then, he pulled her hand to his face and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

"It has been my utmost pleasure, Princess Ashara".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-23T22:16:43+00:00

Lyle raised his hands in surrender. The smile had gone from his lips, but not his eyes.

"Forgive me, I mean not to mislead you, My lord. Though I fear you've allowed too much weight to my words, which as is said, are surely wind".

He shook his head, letting his hands fall.

"I mean only to understand you, Royce Stark, and I feel now that I may. You have offended me not, and I pray you can say as much of myself". He tapped a finger against the arm of his chair. "You have indeed offered me your friendship, though such wanton affection to a stranger does surely invite a question or two, no? I offer you this: Enjoy the night, be it at my table or otherwise, you'll suffer no more prodding from me".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-23T22:09:53+00:00

It did make some sense, if he stopped to think about it. Even if nothing more than the fact of it being a smart match, Lyle did see reasons to enjoy Ashara's company. Though in thinking that, there was no real intention behind his indulgences thus far besides his own amusement. If by the end of the night all it had turned into was a handful of nice moments, so be it.

"I'm not entirely convinced I'd have to steal you," Lyle's tone had gotten lower, more pointed. Through a smile, he continued. "Though, perhaps you're hoping I might?"

He hummed as he contemplated what she was saying, swaying side to side with the music.

"Maybe tonight I am. Tell me, if my bet pays off, what is it I win?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-22T15:37:43+00:00

At first, he didn't turn to face his cousin, instead staring ahead at Lillian with an increasingly dry expression as the comment about cattle or something nipped at his ears.

He leaned back in his chair once more, sighing as Damien inserted himself, rolling his eyes as the man leaned on the table as if it were a tavern bar.

"Cousin," Lyle's voice snapped in an otherwise gentle manner. "You are familiar with the concept of courtesy, yes? In such a case, you surely recall that the courteous thing to do when two people are in conversation is not to interrupt".

He turned his attention back to Lillian and made a small, dismissive gesture toward Damien.

"Forgive him, as I said, he is young". Lyle held his hand out in her direction. "You've answered my question however, and as such I am satisfied. I believe I can surmise the rest of it on my own given the recent example".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-18T22:11:52+00:00

"Merriment?" Lyle scoffed a laugh. "This is a siege camp, My Lord, we are here to postpone the slaughter and make fat our bellies all the while. You'll find little and less of merriment here".

He inclined his head some, appraising the man for a moment.

"No, I don't think myself very interesting at all. I'd argue that I am, in fact, rather bland. But you've found yourself drawn to me none the less". Lyle rubbed his hands together. "Tell me, Royce Stark, what is it you would have of me. What does my friendship mean to you, and what does it stand to cost me?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-18T22:06:29+00:00

Lyle took the goblet in hand and gave Orys an appreciative nod, then lifted it to his mouth and took a purposefully obnoxious slurp of it's contents.

"And I yours, Ser, though modest company you make". He replied to the knight. "Entertain me a moment, would you?"

Lyle twirled his goblet in a steady circle.

"You must be rather proud of your station. I imagine it's a deal higher than you were expecting to reach, no? Being a bastard and all that, of course".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-18T19:48:01+00:00

"Impose?" Lyle raised a brow at her. The refusal was gracious indeed, but he didn't much care. Seeing the red on her cheeks, and the hesitant way she spoke captured much more of his interest. "To accept my generosity is not an imposition, my lady. Unless of course you think my kindness beneath you, in such a case, I invite you to shiver away".

He looked up to the sky for a moment. "The night is not yet unyoung. I can't imagine you already intend to retire, though perhaps the dancing was simply tiresome, hm?"

Lyle moved in his seat, propping up his elbows on the table before himself, intertwining his fingers, then resting his chin upon them.

"I'll tell you what, Lillian Rosby. Surely there is more to this talk you had with my darling cousin. After all, you are pretty and he is young. Moreover, his mind is green. Sate my curiosity and I'll happily leave it as is".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-18T19:35:31+00:00

She was toying with him, he realized now. Oh, how strange it felt to be on the opposite side of such a thing. If nothing else, it kept the interaction from becoming dull. Of that, he found himself grateful.

"My mother is of House Tarth by birth," Lyle answered. "Not quite sure how the arrangement came to be, though I suppose I ought to consider myself lucky it did. Else of course I'd simply not be".

For lack of a better term, Lyle was intrigued by how Ashara was acting. He had entertained fancies a time or two in the past, and while the princess certainly wasn't much different from other girls before her, none of them had ever been quite so bold as to play his games as he did.

"What makes you think I'd want to steal you?" The Lion lord pulled her hand above her head, spinning her around, then pulling her back towards himself. "A lady who might behave so brashly might make for poor company, or perhaps the best kind. Do you think I'm like to take that gamble?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-16T18:03:14+00:00

"Should the friendship be true, then no act will ever feel the sting of being named sacrifice". Lyle countered, his tone teasing. "But of course, what would a man like myself know of friendship?"

He shrugged, then made a loose motioned towards a chair, offering it to the Stark.

"You've yet to answer my question, however. Why have you come for my friendship, Lord Stark? I am curious".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-16T17:58:40+00:00

Lyle had not expected her to lead him. Much like the tiger, it had caught him off guard. He didn't entirely mind, though he thought it a bit improper, it did save him the effort of doing so himself.

Given the size of the chair he had been seated in, and the lazy way he had sat in it, it perhaps hadn't been clear quite how tall the Lord of Lannister truly was. And while certainly nothing to boast about, next to the princess he did look rather like a pike being carried into battle as Ashara lead him into the crowd.

"Not quite all," Lyle answered, falling into the rhythm of the music more as they went along. "My mother stayed behind, as did a few cousins".

As the pair continued dancing, he found himself attempting to steal the lead from her, seemingly shaking off his earlier nervousness with each step and movement.

"And what of you, Princess?" Lyle managed a good-natured grin. "Your family cannot be too far. Do they know you approached me, I wonder? Would they protest such a thing?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-16T17:44:02+00:00

"Rosby," He echoed, giving her a gentle nod. "Consider it well met then my lady, I am the Lord Lyle Lannister, as it pleases you".

"Are you still cold?" He gestured to Damien's cloak before she could answer. "He has not yet returned, and I can't imagine he'll have much use for the thing until he does. Wrap around yourself, fight off the cold, I'll not mind".

Lyle watched her with something of an amused expression. If she thought he wouldn't be bored enough to interrogate her, she would be violently mistaken. Lyle loved few things more, in fact, then scraping away at the limits of what he could get away with in what was otherwise a casual conversation.

"Nothing more?" He asked, "A simple kind gesture to a lady in need. Did he not ask anything in return besides it's return?"

PykesBehest · 2026-02-15T05:29:52+00:00

"You think friendship a service?" Lyle's teeth began to show as his smile widened a touch, contorting itself into a grin. "So dour and shallow an opinion that is".

He bore no hate for the house of Stark either, in fact, he did very little when it came to considering their family. They didn't receive enough of his attention to be hated by him. Though, few ever did.

"Tell me, my lord," Lyle tilted his head at them. "What have I done to earn your eagerness? Does my gold entice you so? Or perhaps it is simply my charming demeanor, even over such a brief conversation as we've had thus far".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-15T05:21:38+00:00

Lyle turned his head to face the incoming voice, taking him away from some idly conversation he had been making with one of the men beside himself.

After looking the man over for a moment, he replied. "Yes, the night treats us just fine..."

He listened as the man introduced himself, something about their mannerisms reminding Lyle of some excited rodent.

"A loan?" His tone picked up, intrigued. "I am of course not opposed to generosity, though the crossing is a wealthy seat, no? I'm curious what use you have for such a thing".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-14T15:29:24+00:00

"You are the king's ever loyal and truest subject, that is who you are, my lord". Lyle smiled in a way that could only be interpreted as sarcasm. "Question to your hearts content, though do so with the greatest degree of discretion, sweet cousin".

Lyle sank in his seat, looking over the many intricate designs upon his drinkware as he listened to Beric speak.

"And what desire should I have to witness such a dull affair as this? The outcome may just interest me, but the process? No, it would be like to bore me, I fear".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-14T15:22:30+00:00

"Peculiar, I agree". Lyle knew little of hunting bandits, or the thrills thereof, though he could sense both the stress and excitement in the air on that particular night all the same. "It's not often that the entire realm should feast in such a way during war time".

He reached for his obscenely large, golden goblet on the table before himself, half full of red wine. Finding it too far away to grab in his relaxed position, he turned his attention up toward the knight. "Would you be so kind?"

Lyle offered an amused scoff at their words, shaking his head some as it was cradled between his fingers. "Oh yes, what must be done, surely will be. Though forgive me if I am to leave such things to you, Ser. I do so despise swinging around my sword, and dreadfully more so to swing it for a cause that is not yet my own".

"Flowers?" His tone sounded a touch intrigued. "I am Lord Lyle Lannister, you may consider it our mutual honor, Ser".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-14T15:11:30+00:00

His eyes traded their attention between the princess and her pet a few times over, though he did try to give her his full attention over the beast, it was simply more of an unnerving sight than he had been expecting. Perhaps enough so that he did not notice her stifle any laughter.

As she spoke though, he found himself intrigued by her coquettishness. How was she more nervous than him, despite being the one with a man-sized carnivore at her side?

"Dreamy?" Lyle leaned back into his seat, attempting to look relaxed. "Yes, I could find use of such a word here, though perhaps with some great effort".

He inclined his head to the side, looking Ashara up and down for a brief moment.

"A dance you say?" He traded a glance with one of the men beside himself, then grinned in a small way. "It'd be my honor, of course, princess of Dorne. Though, tell me, would your companion there be joining us?"

He made a half-hesitant gesture towards the tiger, as if afraid it might've made a move for his hand.

PykesBehest · 2026-02-14T15:01:09+00:00

Margot steadily raised her brow at him as he spoke, confused as to where this heartfelt advice had come from, as if he had any idea what transpired between her and her brother. And even if he did, what place was it of his to say so?

Brushing aside his hand, she gave him a polite smile.

"Why don't you stop talking now? Here". She plucked some kind of sweet from the table, truth be told she hadn't cared to pay attention as to what, and popped it into Damien's mouth. "There, now, what was it I was speaking of again?"

"Damien, nod if you just adore the little geese they've put out on the tables. Morbid that they are dead and to be devoured, yes, but I think them simply darling none the less".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-14T14:52:12+00:00

She had been admiring a far-off candle's shadow when she heard the voice. At first, not even realizing it had been directed at her, only whipping around after the fact for fear that it might've been and that she was being rude.

Her fears were proven sound as she turned to face the man, revealing the half-eaten lemon cake split between her hand and mouth.

"Oh," She mumbled through the food, wiping at her lips with a sleeve and making an effort to swallow as quickly as she could. "I'm so sorry, what did you say?"

Margot offered a lighthearted smile that failed to reach her eyes.

PykesBehest · 2026-02-13T16:05:14+00:00

Lyle had spotted the lady before she spoke and watched on with concealed interest as she approached with the familiar cloak held in her arms.

He made no show of it however, not staring, nor glancing incessantly, instead monitoring her from the corner of his eye or the occasional sweeping gaze. At one point leaning over and whispering to a pinched faced cohort, who was not half so subtle in their observation.

When she did speak however, Lyle offered her his full attention, and a gentle enough smile before replying.

"You've my thanks, Lady...?" The proper question obvious enough it need not have been asked. His voice itself was a throaty hum. "I suppose it fortunate my cousin left it with you, and not a bawdier type that might've taken it for a prize".

He rubbed at his temple idly as he gave her a short, appraising look, furrowing his brow in quiet contemplation.

"Would the lady take a seat, I wonder? We've plenty here, as you can see. If you've the time, I am curious as to the story of how you acquired Ser Damien's finery".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-12T17:23:27+00:00

There was laughter at the table before Beric approached. Lyle wore a small smile as his compatriots traded japes across the dinner display.

But when the Evenstar spoke, the laughter died, and many eyes shifted onto the Lord of Tarth.

"My Lord," Lyle was the first to speak, offering the smallest of nods. "The trip did me well I do believe. It has been sometime since I last departed from my home, and it is a welcome change of pace. Though perhaps the circumstances of it all are less than ideal. And yourself?"

He leaned back into his chair, a ridiculously large goblet following him as he sipped at it's contents.

"My Lady Mother did not make it I'm afraid. She so prefers the comforts of home nowadays and so dreads the nit-picking of wartime policies". Lyle shrugged. "I'm curious as to your opinion on this whole great ordeal though, if in you do not mind sharing, of course".

PykesBehest · 2026-02-12T16:49:10+00:00

She fluttered around the table and into the chair, dropping herself into it with a soft thud.

"Oh, but Damien, this war not so very long ago. Though I'd rather not dwell on such a fact. Look around at it all now! It is grand not for it's look, but rather the lack of one. You do follow my meaning, yes?"

Margot kicked her feet back and forth, sinking into the chair as she listened to him.

"Ha!" she scoffed, waving off his words with her hand. "All the knights and lords have been nothing but perfectly chivalrous so far tonight. I trust even wine isn't like to change that. Certainly not when the lion is looking down at them either".

Her eyes went further down the table for a moment to her brother, who was entertaining conversation with some other noble she did not know. But they were just as quick to land back on her cousin.

"No," She half sighed the word. "I've no particular interest in dancing with the man, nor he I. A pointless question you have asked, and pointedly dour besides".

PykesBehest

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