Gregar looked around with a bored look on his face, after the black knight and then the warlord things got rather quiet for him. He merely sat and watched, drinking wine in the meantime. That is, until Jovan entered the hall. He went unnoticed at first, but as Gregar looked over to the right he noticed him approaching, slowly due to illnes, but steadily. Slowly Gregar rose, not willing to believe it, but it was him. Jovan Athos, son of the duke of the Falkhalls. Not only was it good to see a friend, Jovan also held an esteemed position. While he wasn't exactly the heir, he had close ties with one of the few remaining houses they could form an alliance with. Gregar slowly walked down the steps that led to the throne, and walked closer to Jovan before embracing him.

[b]“Ofcourse I've room for an old friend, nay, brother of mine.”[/b] Gregar smiled with a genuine smile before helping Jovan towards the table where Amber and the other higher up nobles were seated. Ayca would be granted a seat there as well, much to the annoyance of other nobles who felt that a woman such as.. her.. should not be granted that honour. Never the less Gregar took a seat with them, glad that he could finally get off that throne. [b]“How is your life, Jovan? It's been long since I had heard from you, you'll have to excuse me for that. I was away for battle in name of king Etwine, as is my duty. I haven't had a chance to read any letters sent by you or your friend.”[/b] He looked over at Ayca, a typical Southerner in appearance, but then again so was Jovan. Never the less, she appealled to Gregar as most Southern women did. Gregar had an eye for beauty, but made no distinctions. He could see something attractive in every single woman in the world as far as he was concerned. For her, it was her hair. Curls like hers were rare in the north. [b]“Tell me of your father and brothers. Have they all found suitable wives yet?”[/b] He grinned as he said that. Ofcourse they had. The Athosi were very.. specific in who married who, to preserve the bloodline. Their marriages had been set in stone when they were born. Jovan only managed to get free from it when he stepped down from his position, losing the title of heir. Lucky bastard.

[hr]

Gidja was relatively annoyed by Rolland. If she hadn't raised her voice, then Joakim wouldn't have known of these men approaching. Such matters were important to Joakim, she knew. Why was Rolland made captain again? Surely it was because his blood was blue, and not because he was a terrific captain of the guard. She grumbled.. nobody wanted to be on North gate watch, and now she had to do it. She collected herself again and watched over the horizon, spotting moving figures.. again? It seemed like a larger band than before, with banners flying too. They came from the south but at a slow pace. Looking closer, she noticed the banners weren't from any Forkish or Ironhill lords. She'd have recognised those. Rather, they were with 3 banners. The Rotten Crows, the Black Hands and the Hillmen of Morrin. All three were mercenary companies, however they were also part of the larger companies around. No doubt they had heard of the war, now that rumours were spreading far and wide. Perhaps they came to seek employment by Gregar, in exchange for gold or plundering rights in certain cities. 

Deciding against shouting, for fear of Rolland taking a whip to her back, she ran back to the keep into the grand hall, where she'd alert Gregar. However it seemed God willed it that she ran into Joakim first. And Joakim was as good as Gregar for dealing with these men. [b]“Lord Joakim, three mercenary companies approach the castle, no doubt here to offer allegiance in exchange for plunder or gold, milord. Shall I let them in?”[/b] Joakim was on his way from his chambers to find Brier, as they had to catch up sometimes and he'd rather do it sooner than later. However this matter seemed more urgent, so he nodded at Gidja and followed her outside. 

As he walked, he called out to several guards in the hall. [b]“With me, please.”[/b] he'd say, while gesturing with his hands for them to follow him. One of these men would be Rolland, a man that Joakim liked ever since he had arrived in the castle. Joakim knew some other of Rollands' family, all good men and women, simple but tough. No doubt some people inside the grand hall would have noticed Joakim leaving together with a set of six guards, as well as the captain of the guard and Gidja, a woman who bore arms like a man. Whether this would cause any distractions remained to be seen.

Joakim approached the palisade gates, a large wooden gate that was opened pretty much all through day, and only closed at night to keep out unwanted people. By now the companies had all arrived at the gates, banners flying and men grumbling about the cold. As Joakim approached three men on horseback broke free from the masses, the masses easily numbering 200 men if not more. The first of three was a rough looking man, clad in leather and mail, wearing no helmet at all. His blonde hair was slicked back and he had a thin beard, and he wore a longsword on his left side.

The second man was a man that looked.. old. He had grey hair that hung in strings in front of his eyes, weary but attentative. He wore a plate cuirass but little else, and had a large two handed sword on his back, that he could no doubt handle very well. He was muscled and looked strong, though he lacked any muscled definition, most likely due to age.

The last man was dressed in furs, and had a small handaxe on his side and a fur covered shield on his back. The man was no doubt leader of the Hillmen, a savage tribe turned mercenary after they realised they could not fight the expanding Borhilonians, and rather chose to work for them, plunder and kill in their name. As such they were unaccountable by law, and could do what they did best. Although Joakim doubted these men were true hillmen, as they were formed a hundred years ago. Remnants of these people were what stood in front of him - would be traditionalists, who in reality were little more than murderers and thieves.. they did what they were good at, though. 

[b]“Welcome to the Wintershouse. I assume you've heard of the war that is coming to our lands?”[/b] Joakim tried to be nice and friendly, as best as he could. The man looked at him, unamused, and simply looked to Rolland, Gidja and then the guardsmen that were with him. [i]“Aye. We're here to offer our swords and axes.”[/i] the old man said, dismounting his horse and walking to the keep, past Joakim and the rest. [i]“Where's the Oakheart?”[/i] the blonde man said as he followed the old man. Joakim looked at Rolland and beckoned him to stay. [b]“Make sure their men stay in line.”[/b] He, Gidja and the other guardsmen that they had taken would have to see to the men. In case anything happened, there were soldiers nearby keeping an eye as well, although they were too far away to immediatly be able to help. 

The three men slowly walked up the hill that led to the keeps' walls, and the keep itself. One of them turned around and beckoned for some to follow him, a personal guard of sorts. From the mercenary ranks some men broke free, making their way to join their leaders with steady pace. About twenty guards came, in total. Joakim couldn't object - he'd ask for a guard of his own if he were visiting foreign lords too. Except he might ask permission to bring them. Never the less he didn't say much, simply following them and overtaking them, after which he'd lead them to the grand hall. Opening the doors, he'd announce himself and the people behind him. [b]“Lord Oakheart, mercenary commanders who have come to offer blades and axes.”[/b] he'd say loudly, so that Gregar would pay mind to these men. 

Gregar heard the call and rose to his feet, excusing himself in the meantime to Amber, Jovan and Ayca, as well as Arryn who was at the table still. He returned to his throne and sat down while the guards of these men marched in and stood in two lines clearing the way for the company leaders. The musicians continued playing their song, quietly but audible. Hushed voices spoke of mercenaries, of Hillmen, Rotten Crows and Black Hands, who had painted Black Hands on their armor, 'touched by disease'. Slowly the three leaders approached, not bowing or anything of the like, simply standing there. A strange thing to do, but understandable for men like these, battle hardened and with a lack of respect for anything remotely resembling a hierarchy outside of their own companies. [i]“Aye, we have blades, we have axes,”[/i] the old man said, seemingly the pack leader. The blonde one continued, however, with a smug smile on his face. [i]“.. have you need of them, Oakheart?”[/i] The Hillman leader was particularily quiet, looking around the room and taking in all the people that were there, almost as if he was looking for something. His gaze landed on Amber Rossric and held still for a moment, then continued until he noticed a black knight. He paid no mind to the 10 or so guardsmen inside, and neither the fully armored knights and nobles that had come to attend the feast. 

[b]“That depends on your offer,”[/b] Gregar spoke to the man in a loud and clear voice, a voice that demanded respect but at the same time was respectful towards these men. [b]“you can say what you wish here, I hold no secrets for my court.”[/b] The old man grinned and moved the helmet under his arm a bit, to make himself comfortable. [i]“In exchange for 250 blades, axes and bows, we demand plundering rights in the grand cities of Redfield and Osshearth. Along with our share of the spoils, ofcourse.. we can have another 1000 men here before the next week.”[/i] 1250 men was a sizeable mercenary party to hire, and could significantly boost their numbers unexpectedly, forcing Harrighfield to perhaps rethink his strategies.

[b]“Aye, that's a fair offer indeed. But while I am lord here, I do not hold this court on my own.”[/b] With this he indicated that those who wished to speak on the matter were free to speak about the mercenaries, including Jovan, Amber and some others. Those of lower stature, such as Arryn or Gavin would be forced to keep their mouths shut, at least for now until the matter had been decided. Anyone with important information, or perhaps a person with big enough influence, would be able to speak on the matter and convince Gregar of one or the other. Something about these men seemed off, however..