Ash's mood just seemed to worsen by moments. Earlier the day, he had hoped to somehow get by and remain unnoticed. After some talks, a bounty, a blizzard, and a perhaps too observant guard, he had all the stares of every single [i]lesser Lord and Bannermen[/i] the Weades had. And to top it off, the one person he was not supposed to [i]meet[/i] to avoid trouble was actually calling him. Gregar [i]godsbedamned[/i] Weade, the Oakheart. [i]What a fine mess. Last time I saw him, he bounded me in chains and didn't take too kindly of his men falling to my weapons.[/i] And there were the [i]stares[/i]. It was like...[i]if they were awaiting a performance.[/i]

He paused, and raised his hands to his helmet. [i]Well, what the hell, let's give them the show of their lives, then.[/i] He added, while dropping it, revealing his face in full. He intensified his stare, eyes directly glaring at Gregar Oakheart.

[b]"You know me well, Oakheart. I am after all, the Knightslayer and the bane of your troops."[/b] Ash said with his deep voice. [b]"Yet, I come here not as lackey of Duke Perris, for my relationship with him has ended.I have no desire to fight you over nothing."[/b] He added, his hand slowly reaching for his sword. [b]"However my life is all I have, and I will not part with it easily. Pardon my rudeness if I fight back."[/b] He added, to back up his defensive stance.[b]"You asked for my name, m'lord, and that much I'll give. Know that I am Ash, son of Lily the prostitute, and my place of birth is the Whitelands."[/b] He smirked slightly. [b]"However, if your lordship would be so kind of staying his hand, he will know that money cannot buy blood. I'll gladly lend you my sword to protect the resting place of my mother."[/b] He finished, awaiting a response.

[hr]

Brier clutched the folds of her ruined dress tightly. She wasn't in the mood of tasting food nor wine. The emotion she had when she met Mir, her little Mir, all grown up and regal, had all but faded out. She really wanted to tell how proud she was, and make up for lost time, but more empowering emotions were threatening to burst outside. Specially after Gregar's talk about war, and asserting Amber's rule. [i]Really, these two should marry, I mean, he's chosen to tell about Amber to his troops, and forgotten about me. Not sure if on purpose... I hate war politics[/i]. Brier bit her lip, and then gestured for Joakim to lend her an ear.

[b]"Blackwood is lost, Mir. I'm sorry for telling you this way and putting the burden of you, but I can't keep myself in check for much longer. Kevin is dead, and so was my little Brian, killed by a mob who drove me out. I'll excuse myself now, lest i break before all of your brother's lords and bannermen. Tell them I went to see mother."[/b] Brier whispered, before gathering all her remaining grace, bowed out and headed towards the tower, where her mother was, struggling to not let her tears out.