S01E06

## The Tourney at Aldford, Part 2

After an eventful first day of the tournament, Maester Ethon found himself standing alone in the burnt farmer's field, examining the soil. He turned a patch of dirt in his hands, thinking, "Pitch. Most definitely pitch. Soaked into the soil for a week or more. And odourless. This must be the work of a pyromancer."

The second day of the tournament began with the first round of the fencing competion. The crowd was amused by the spectacle of Eastern swordsmen and their delicate moves. This was followed by the single combat with sword finals, which were won by House Glenbain's own Maxir, with him edging out House Dyre's infamous Jon Hallan in the final. (Maxir gains 5 Glory and a suit of Superior Plate Mail.)

By noon it was time for a high tea. The nobles sat in the slightly burnt field, enjoying cool drinks and rare sweets. Brenwyn and Zandren noticed Esta the maid slip a silver tray under her skirt, holding it between her knees as she left. Brenwyn approached her quietly, but the crowd still saw when Esta accidentaly dropped the tray. Rook made sport of the awkward situation as Esta was escorted to the dungeon.

This was followed by the axe throwing event. Rook looked at the rough, barbaric contestants and was unimpressed with their skill. He took up an axe, and standing at 100 yards he threw the weapon into a bullseye. The audience was shocked. Victarion Greyjoy, prince of the Iron Islands and one of the contestants, was angered. He marched to the 120 yard mark and threw an axe into the bullseye and then gestured at Rook. Rook attempted the same distance, landing his axe into the target, but without a bullseye. Victarion celebrated his victory as the crowd booed him.

That evening saw Barristan Selmy, captain of the Kingsguard win the boxing competition.

And then it was time for the Masquerade Ball, a den of intrigue. The group managed to shame Maester Ethon to keep him from giving away secrets, get Tyrion Lannister a job in the capital, prevent King Robert from seducing the 15 year old Olenna Cherrane and convince Kevan Lannister to extradite prisoners to The Reach.

Meanwhile, a complicated plan was playing itself out. Lady Maedalyn of House Dyre had used spies to determine what costume Tywin Lannister would wear to the ball. When the dance began, she immediately approached the man wearing that costume. She spent hours seducing him and though he didn't say much, it appeared to be working. He brought her to the dance floor and she took the opportunity to rub his thigh discretely. Before the ball was over, he managed to give her a deep kiss and disappear into the crowd. A little while later, Lord Zandren approached a completely different man at the ball, saying, "Good evening, Lord Tywin."

Lord Tywin lifted his mask and replied, "A good eye, sir. Yes it is me." Lady Maedalyn was shocked. She left the ball with all the grace she could muster.

Day three began with an enormous breakfast banquet which was interrupted by the arrival of Zholos Rha from the East. The nineteen year old Zholos brought a retinue of guards and entertainers to impress the crowd. He stood before the onlookers announcing, "I... studee... tongue... ship! Good day!" His servants clapped and he continued, "Aldford... clean! Glenbain... clean!" Zholos's servant Sallus Anexor explained that they showed him the pine tar that the Glenbain's sell and Zholos assumed everyone in Aldford would be covered in the stuff. Zholos presented Zandren a box of doves as a gift. Unfortunately, the doves had died on the voyage. This upset Zholos and he stomped away in a huff, but Sallus Anexor explained that he would stay for a month to court Zandren's daughter Katryna, offering a dowry of 10,000 gold dragons (about $210,000,000).

After that came the joust finals. In the semi-final the mysterious Black Knight faced the celebrated Jaime Lannister and won. Maxir Glenbain found himself across the field from the vicious Lartel Dyre, oldest son of Lady Maedalyn. The two combatants clashed, with Maxir being knocked to the ground. Maxir stood up and walked to the edge of the field. When he lifted his helmet, Zandren saw a stream of blood trailing from his eye. Zandren called for a healer. Minnie was away, so Maester Ethon answered the call.

Maester Ethon judged that a splinter from Lartel's lance had slipped through Maxir's visor and stabbed into his eye. The splinter was still lodged in the socket and could eventually kill the man. Ethon recommended that the eye be removed so that he could get at the last bit of splinter. Zandren was horrified, ordering that Maxir rest until Minnie could come and give a second opinion. But Maester Ethon remarked, "He may not thurvive the night." So, Zandren gave the order. Maxir's eye was scooped out right there on the field, the splinter was removed and the socket cauterized. (Maxir gets 'Impaired Sense' disadvantage. -1 yard per turn movement, fail all sight-based Awareness checks.)

The final of the joust came down to Lartel Dyre and the Black Knight. The crowd was shocked and amused when the Black Knight won. Tradition has it that the winner of the joust may approach either the king or the host and ask for one wish. If the wish is reasonable, the king or host is honour-bound to grant it. The Black Knight rode to Zandren and removed his helmet, revealing that he was none other than Maurice Figgybottom, the stable boy. His wish was simple: "Forgive me, my lord."

Lord Zandren, having just watched his son lose an eye, was in a less than cordial mood. He looked at Maurice and considered a moment. Then he said, "A peasant in the joust is an unforgivable breach of the law. One must be a knight to joust." The crowd gasped, waiting for him to dole out a hefty punishment. But Zandren continued, "So, you must take a knee."

There, in front of a thousand onlookers, Zandren knighted Ser Maurice of Figgybottom (1 Glory, +2 Status). The crowd cheered as Zandren whispered to Ser Maurice, "If you ever disobey me again, I'll gouge out both your eyes."

The rest of the tournament played out smoothly. Gregor Clegane won the Grand Melee, which surprised few. Zandren released Esta the maid from the dungeon, banishing her from the castle for life. Marcus Oban gave the parting speech, cementing the event in the history of the region.

## Experience

- Alon, Marcus, Rook, Wilfred and Zandren received 10 XP, 3 Glory and 100 Gold Dragons

- Brenwyn, Clyde, Torrhen, Maxir and Minnie received 10 XP