The Brotherhood of the Winged Knights

Harrold did his best, but his luck seemed to run out after the first clash of steel rang across the tournament field. A good hit to helmet caused Hardyng to lose balance before blood was tasted in his mouth. Some of splattered within his helmet. The attack continued without any end in sight. The pain of his broken nose was one thing, but blood was obstructing his view as it was flung all over within his helmet. Harrold then felt his back slam into the ground... still, it wasn't over. Swords gone, Harry lunge, getting Albar on the ground too and the two fighting hand to hand, but again, luck ran out quickly. The more strongly built Albar now had the high ground and was pummeling Harrold senseless. It didn't take long for his own vision to become blurry, red from blood, and drifting to and from of consciousness.

Lady Waynwood stood up immediately as Harrold fell. She waved to a couple of her retainers, who pushed threw the crowd, rushing over to pull Albar off of Harrold.

CALL YOUR SON OFF NOW, NESTOR!

Anya yelled at the Lord of the Gates of the Moon.

Waynwood's retainers went over to Harry as Royce and Baelish's men got Albar off. One of them lifted the front of the helmet slightly to see how bad things were. It was hardly a pretty sight, which caused the front of the helmet to be lowered quickly. Then, with the help of a third retainer, Harrold's limp body was lifted up and taken off of the field. At this point, Harrold was likely concussed and completely unconscious from the beating that he had been given. His once gallant looks were nothing but a beaten mess with all kinds of broken bits and bruises, hidden by what remained of the beaten helmet.

Anya leans down, whispering to her son, Donnel, who was present. Her second son nods his head and heads off to join the retainers who had taken Harrold away. Her other son, Morton, went off to fetch a maester. If Albar had done lasting damage to Harrold, she would have his hide first before his father could even pull out a dagger to cut it off!

Somewhat apologizing, Mya looked over to Myranda and Alayne before heading off with Royce's retainers to help Harrold Hardyng, removing the helmet and metal from his head as best as possible. Calling for a Maester to look after his wounds, she would do her best to help alongside the other men, before eventually returning to Lord Nestor Royce, once things seemed to look okay and there was no further endangerment for the Heir.

Albar had done quite the number to Harrold, whose face was red from bruises, bloodied, and swollen in various places. The helmet had been gingerly removed to allow the Maester to do his work. It took an hour before the old male was able to declare that Harry would heal, but it would take some weeks, if not a full month, before it was relatively healed. Deep down, Lady Waynwood hoped there would be a scar or two. His gallant looks would be unable to seduce another woman and be able to attract a proper wife instead! Leaving him in the care of the maester and her sons, she retreated out of the room when a retainer said that Nestor had come to see her.

Before Lord Royce could even speak a word, Anya croaked out some words quicker.

Before I even hear a word of what Harry did, do not think, for a moment, I won't be scolding Harrold senseless for his idiotic move back in the tournament when the boy wakes up.

The old hag was not entirely pleased with what had happened. Sure, her ward certainly deserved a good beating, but the one Albar administrated was beyond what was necessary.

Your son probably did Harry a favor by beating him out of the clouds... albeit an unnecessary beating.

Anya had wondered, for a long time, if she needed to give her ward a beating at some point.

I take it that Albar is toughing out his injuries?

"My apologies, lady Waynwood. My son has not yet learned to control his temper."



Royce grimaced at the sight of Harry lying comatose on the bed, covered in blood. However, it looked worse than it seemed, for Waynwood's anger had somewhat abated.

"He's fine. Lucky to be alive, with a lance that high. But my son has a thick skull. He'll live."


Nestor clasped his hands. It was a misunderstanding, nothing more. He was relieved that none were truly hurt, save some superficial wounds.

"I pray we can mend relations between our houses, my lady. I brought my daughter to check on the boy's wounds."

Myranda emerged from behind her father, looking a little sheepish. Nonetheless, she greeted Lady Waynwood with a curtsy.

"Forgive my brother, my lady, he is something of a brute. My prayers are with Ser Harry, and I will gladly help see to his wounds should you wish it."

She smiled, sweet as honey.

Ser Wallace Waynwood broke the seventh and last lance against his nephew, Ser Rolland Waynwood, unhorsing him in that final tilt. Everyone applauded eagerly. He galloped around the lists with Alayne's favour tied around the helmet, fluttering in the wind. Andrew Tollet unhorsed swiftly his rival, Tordos Egen, a cousin of the late Ser Vardis, while a mistery knight -later on discovered to be septon in disguise, fighting for the Seven- was thunderously thrown from his horse by Marwyn Belmore, who ended his six-long string of victories, which caused much hilarity when his holy identity was uncovered, later on. Mychel Redfort manages to throw Andar Royce -his brother in law- from his high saddle, after a very hard won tilt. Eustace Hunter defeats, in turn, both his elder and younger brother, gaining fame for his daft aim and agility atop his stallion. Luthor Brune, the appleeater, donning a grey steel plain harness defeats several knights, including Redfort's older brother and heir to the lordly fortunes. Lyn Corbray was most vicious, his blows were aimed to deliver the most harm -his foes had some bones broken, spared of worse- and even killed two horses -allegedly, by mistake-, that Baelish himself offered to compensate for, in coin. And, finally, Byron the Beautiful is the eight most remarkable knight, being able to beat Lord Hersy after his shield-arm was broken.

Lord Baelish announces those who would be the Brotherhood of the Winged Knights: Wallace Waynwood, Andrew Tollett, Marwyn Belmore, Mychel Redfort, Eustace Hunter, Luthor Brune, Lyn Corbray, Byron the Beautiful. Every one of them receives a war helm topped with a pair of falcon wings, a blue and cream silken cloak and a suit of armor, presente to each knight by Lord Arryn and Baelish himself. Then, all eight knelt before Arryn and swore to serve and protect him, to live by his side, to give their lives for their liege lord and care not for kindred, fortunes and family until three years were done and past. Thus they swore and proclaimed before Robert Arryn, who was rapturously happy and could be seen smiling from ear to ear. Then, Baelish signaled for a combat to be held between the eight knights, in order to pick the winner of the tourney. Finally, the only one standing, surprisingly, was Wallance Waynwood, who named Lady Alayne Queen of Love and Beauty. The Lord Protector's daughter accepted a crown of winter blue roses from him, brought at the point of his lance, while Waynwood took the wreaths of victory from her delicate hands. Baelish handed him a sword in a jewelled scabbard, to better protect their liege, as he said. The ovation was thunderous and could be heard miles around the Gates of the Moon.

Lord Petyr then announced the clansmen, who had been harassing the passes, shall be dealt with, and that Lord Yohn Royce, most experience soldier in the Vale, would command the expedition to get rid of them and clean the mountains from that pest. Men who had done well in the joust could join the Lord of Runestone if they so wished. Lyn Corbray and Byron the Beautiful would acompany his Lordship, to protect the commander of the host and help him with the prowess of their arms, this had been a grace by Lord Arryn himself, who wanted his sworn swords to bask in the glory of cleansing the passes into his domain. This was also welcomed with eager cheering on the audience.

She found him smoking sour leaf in a pipe, resting in one of the many balconies of the keep. 

"Milady Royce. I hope you were not insulted by my paltry performance."