MerivelAtTheGuardHouseIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | HoldfastGameLogs | Merivel At the GuardHouse Merivel At the GuardhouseMerivel for his part resisted with obvious restraint the urge to turn to see the confrontation, keeping his attention on the men before him. "I must see to the hall, Maester, but good day to you. My thanks for your help in caring with my father. Two additional Hardy men have been added. My appologies for any delay this may cause," Kenrith said before sketching a bow. "You have my thanks in this matter." Merivel replied with a smile, and turned toward Ser Anders. Kenrith headed off in the direction of the great hall to make sure it was ready for the trial... and what might follow. "And now it is time to go at last." Merivel said with a heavy sigh to Ser Anders, dangling the cage with the raven gently from his hand. "Indeed," said Ser Anders. "And now I think we are ready to proceed. Maester Merivel, will you accompany me to the guardhouse? I must see out prisoner safely bestowed before I detail your escort to Clearwater." "I understand." Merivel replied. "I will follow." He smiled pleasantly. "How many accompanied you from Clearwater? I cannot quite recall ... " "Directly? None. I had a tandem sort of escort, from Clearwater to the Road, and from the Road to here." He gestured to the escort; one of the guards moved closer to Evan and gave a nod. "Move on, lad. That door near the gate - that's where we're headed." Ser Ander watched as the guards escorted Evan within but - as yet - made no move to follow; he seemed to be waiting for Merivel. Merivel hesitated a moment, but he didn't say anything, and finally turned away from the guardhouse. "Where am I to meet my escort?" Merivel asked, as he started a few steps away from where Evan was being imprisoned. "I need to select two more men," said Ser Anders. "If you make your way to the stables ... I believe a horse and your escort are already there. We'll join you." He indicated the direction. When Merivel reached the stableyward, he found his two escorts waiting for him. One was a cheerful, older man, a little stout, with a ferocious moustache. The other was a slighter, younger man, with a sallow, pitted complexion, coarse dark hair and a slight cast in one eye. But the pair seemed on good enough terms. The horse that had been provided for Merivel's use was a sturdy bay gelding - not the most beautiful of creatures, but hardy and steady - worthy of Holdfast. "Do you ride, Maester?" asked the older guard, who gave his name as Trowen. "We can take a wagon if you'd prefer," said trhe younger man, Cleeve. Merivel shook his head good naturedly at Cleeve. "In the Vale, if you don't ride, then you are less than human. I may not sit on a horse with the skill of a knight, or even my older brothers, but I think you'll find me a decent rider." Merivel walked over to the bay gelding, and began speaking to it in low tones, gently stroking its head. "I wish I had an apple for you, hmm." he murmured, and then turned to look at Trowen and Cleeve. "What's his name?" "We call him Steady," said Trowen, "because that's what he is." "Good, Steady." Merivel murmured. He moved to help Merivel mount. "Are you ready to set out then, Master?" Cleeve moved to take the raven cage and attach it to the saddle in the approved fashion. "Not yet." Merivel said with a smile. "I am actually expecting an additional escort to accompany us." He looked around from atop Steady. Even as he did so, two more guards came in. One was burly, with a broiad grin, the other was asmall man, who seemed to give his companion simple orders that the good-natured giant carried out - namely finding two horses and having them saddled. Merivel smiled even before they introduced themselves. "He's not dagger sharp but Dobbin has the strength of three men," he said to Merivel. "I'm Jonkers; I travel with Dobbin." "Pleased to meet the both of you. I'm Merivel, of course." he said and then gestured to the other two men "And of course, Trowen and Cleeve make a party of five." "Shall we go?" Merivel asked. "The road is long and I am eager to set hoofbeats upon it." It was not easy to ride through the gate when so many people were flocking in, eager to see the trial. The road that led through Holdfast too was thronged with people. But once they were through the town, they had the road through the forest to themslves. Categories: WinterChillsGameLogs, CastleHoldfast |
