"It looks as if the Smith and her the new Knight have arrived," I tell Blythe, and motion with my head.

"Ah, he did win, didn't he?" Blythe recalls and smiles for them.

Eseld's smile is warm and happy as they cross to us. She gives us each hugs and a kiss on the cheek. "How does the evening find you both?"

I kiss her back and hug too. I must get used to the openness of the Alfari again, if I'm to find grace. "And it looks like we may be making new friends too," I add more quietly, with a nod toward the very fancy man who has arrived. He fits right into the crowd here.

"You look well and happy," Blythe tells her. "Hello," she greets our newcomer, "I am Blythe."

"I am" Eseld tells Blythe. Dagnir stands quieter among us, parsing out hugs and kisses to those he knows.

Smiling in return the red-coated gentleman takes Blythe's hand to grasp between his own. "It is a pleasure, thank you, Blythe." He looks at the group of us and introduces himself. "I am Truncheon, my formal title, given to me by the Serpent, is Ewen. You are welcome to call me either. Thank you for coming."

"I would call you by whatever name you would prefer, new friend," Blythe so naturally offers.

He pulls out a pipe, but doesn't light it. "I could not help but overhear your conversation. I was particularly drawn by the way in which you spoke, genuine and passionate, qualities that I find rare among Alfari. It's simply refreshing to hear someone speak with such conviction about their beliefs. You remind me of myself in that regard. I would love to hear more, but feel I've already overstepped my boundaries." He lights his pipe, smoking some cherry-concocted plant.

I look at this Ewen. "Ewen of the Serpent, I am Belesama of the Keep. This is Sir Dagnir and I am a rude sort who has forgotten all his other names since this morning, and Lady Eseld. What distraction are you up to here this eve, beside finding refreshing sincerity in Blythe, as we all must?" He shakes my hand and thanks me for my welcome.

Blythe shakes her head as he steps back. "It is alright. If I had meant for none to hear it, I would not have spoken it. Would you join us?" They continue on while I greet Dagnir.

I step forward and grasp Dagnir's forearm and pull him into an embrace. "Sir Dagnir," I say, with a huge smile. "I hope to be worthy of you," I say to acknowledge our quickly taken alliance.

He returns my hug slowly. "Likewise, as no doubt you will be a Knight of the Sword before long. What, tomorrow perhaps?" He smiles though, real and honest, but quick to step back toward Eseld. "Have you chosen a place for our small match?" he asks and finally laughs at my play on his new title.

Then Ewen is speaking to all of us again. "I pleases me to hear that Blythe's friends' appreciate these qualities. It suggests that you may be of a similar mind. Passionate, genuine, and full of enough conviction to make a difference, in whatever it is that you value." He clears his throat. "I'm starting to sound cryptic. Apologies. Aside from preparing for this presentation, I have enjoyed the day's events, the tournament. Still, I am saddened by the losses. I don't quite know what to say about that." He sighs and looks down. "Please, tell me, how have you all been occupying your time this day?"

I smile at Ewen and shrug.

To Dagnir, I say, "Day Three, soon enough. And I thought we might find someplace quiet after the talking and whathaveyou is through. Perhaps Blythe will know a place. Should we use padding, do you think?"

"A place...I could find one in the wilde if there was time. I have no idea here. I have only been to the Lily's but a time or two and once..." She smiles, all full of confusion and her strange innocence.

Ewen offers, "If you wish, I might be able to arrange a place, here, at the Lily, for your sparring."

"There are a few places here for sparring that I know of, and a few as well back at the Inn ... just beyond the smithy, actually."

Dagnir considers, then says, "The space nearest the smithy would be my preference." He blushes. I smile, and wonder, but then remember how attached he seems to Eseld. Just then she reaches in silence for his hand, as if she feels his thought of wanting to be close to her. "I think armor is a necessity, given the closeness of your bout and that I will be the only healer there. There has been enough mischance this Tourney... and it will let us challenge each other more with a 'net beneath,' if you will."

"That sounds good to me; hopefully we'll not draw a crowd. Eseld, do you know if they have armor herebouts I might borrow later?" I ask. "I would rather not limp off when I have to spar with my father come dawn as well," I grin.

"I am certain they have various pieces stored away, but whether some would fit you, or not, I don't know. We can certainly see, and there are a few things I may adjust to ease the differences. If that is what you would like to do, let me send a note to them, so they may have pieces pulled and ready for you to examine by the time we return."

"Let us send the note then. I'm beginning to grow concerned I'll be sleeping through tomorrow's events after my visit with my father, since I shall have to check on my cousins at the Inn of the Maid - Lord knows what they'll get up to - when we're all done with conversations and presentations and sparring tonight. Everyone is welcome, of course, though I daresay they'll have been drinking some time before we arrive." I shrug, because it is truth.

"A mug of ale sounds like quite a temptation right about now," Eseld confesses, "though even after you are both done sparring, I will still be at my work a time."

She gestures for me to stand, and I do. "If you will not mind, let me look at you to see what the Inn should pull. What style of armor would you prefer?" She gathers and sends a servant for paper and ink.

I step forward and raise my arms up behind my head, turning in a slow circle. The seriousness of my words challenges the flirtatious smile on my face. "I don't use it, for my style, but I daresay I'll have to if I make the Melee. I prefer something light, torso only, I suppose. My valances should do well enough for my forearms. They're special. When I fight it is all about movement, so the more I am restricted the harder it will go for me."

I give Dagnir a wink as I turn. I must spread the wealth of the mood the icy lady has bestowed on me. His blush flares up again.

"You tell me what is best. I think you have more knowledge of these things than I do. Mainly, I'd like to not have to go begging to Bronn of the Word to heal me so I can have a chance at besting his brother in arms."

Eseld is warm but quiet while she takes my measure, absorbed in the task. "Thank you, my friend," she touches my shoulder and I stop.

"No, thank you," I tell Eseld. "I appreciate your help."

"We will see what they find for us." She writes down whatever it is she's discovered about me and sends it off.

I turn my attention back to this conversation between Blythe and Ewen, resettling myself on the bench, as Eseld and Dagnir are drawn back together.

"So whatever is your show to be, Ewen? Give us a hint, then," I prod, and glance at his... bodyguard.

Smiling at Belesama, my tone easy, playful, "Fair enough. A hint then: it is a collage of my experiences."

I see Belesama looking at Maiev, and step aside and offer introduction "This is my assistant and bodyguard, Maiev." I look upon her appreciatively, smiling, nodding. My expression and tone take on a shade of seriousness, "She is very important to me," still looking at Maiev, happy to have a formal opportunity to speak my feelings, and to give her public lauds.

"Maiev," I greet, "well met, then. I have done some bodyguarding in my time. It's a fair way for a person to spend her time, I always thought."

"What draws you to the task Lord Ewen?" Eseld interjects softly, and I realize I've missed something.

Appreciatively, "Ah, Eseld, I've only just met you, but something tells me I would be safe if ever given to your care. I am a seeker of truth, and am willing to suffer for it."

Eseld looks surprised. "While we search for the truth, Lord Ewen, I only ask that we do not take on suffering needlessly, or because that is what our hearts are used to. For there is hurt enough already." Then she kisses him on the cheek and says something quietly to him. The speak below my hearing, and then Eseld is back with Dagnir, and they're having a moment alone.

I smile. "Is that how you came under the Serpent, then? I'd be quite interested in that story. I would wager your journey has been a fascinating one," I tell Ewen. Before he can answer, Muirne is heading our way, and Blythe is up, full of energy, greeting her and the man with her, and making introductions. Verhain, it seems, can't get much further from Muirne's orbit than Dagnir can from Eseld's. I begin to wonder if I'm living in a universe of couples.

"Yes, that's part of the reason. I would enjoy telling you my story under more relaxed circumstances. And I would enjoy hearing yours." Ewen answers me and gives me his serious nod.

A male servant approaches from the direction of the back of the courtyard. "Elder Cuan asked that I bring you to his quarters, if you have all gathered."

Blythe seems nervous about interrupting Eseld and Dagnir, but I have no such worries. They'll be just fine. I look at the servant. "Let us gather up Eseld and Dagnir on the way."

"I would not want to overstep my boundaries and ask if I can meet with your group and Cuan. But, we need not move into those waters, as I feel it wouldn't be right for me to step out on a gathering in my honor. Though, I would very much like to be actively involved in such matters. Perhaps someone will update me after the meeting?" Ewen asks.

I nod to him, pleased with this straight-forwardness. "We shall gather you up after the presentations, then. I think our plan is to come see yours," I smile. "We're going to travel back down to the inn, I think, so Dagnir and I can practice, I must check on my cousins, and Eseld must craft... so that is like to be where we end up."

I step over to offer Blythe my arm again.

Blythe nods. "You are welcome to join us and learn what we learn at a later time. Someone should be able to explain things to you."

Acknowledging both of us Ewen nods. "Thank you for your considerations. I will make a point to seek you after the presentations."