His Adventure had begun(Darius Ullstide)

[simon]

Darius was in his main chamber in the inner keep of Bronzegate castle when a stranger entered the chamber with two guards who entered behind him. Two guards were already posted either side of the door so when the two guards followed the stranger, four guards now stood at the back.

He immediately dismissed the officials who came to speak with him as they left out of the side doors, before his attention was then drawn to the stranger, "I am Lord Darius Ullstide. Lord of the Bronzegate, and the man who decides the fates of those in his castle. That....now includes you sir", as he paced the room till he was back in the center, "So tell me, who you are, why you are here, and..", looking at his clothing, "..where you are from?"

[shibatatim]

Now within the main chamber a smile crept over Roker Frostwyrm's face. He had indeed traveled far to reach the house of the Ullstide. Though he found it curious that the man who had brought him here had no intentions of escorting him here within the main chamber. He bowed his head lightly, but never taking his eyes off of the lord of the house. Before raising his head and speaking after Darius Ullstide had.

"I have traveled both far and wide to come here lord Darius Ullstide. I am Roker Frostwyrm and I come from Essos, specifically Lorath. I mean you no ill-intentions; I only wish to serve and bring about my own glory. Indeed it may have been unwise to travel all the way here on such hopes, but I have made the journey still. I only know of you because of a stranger who became my friend on a ship that had ferried me here to Westeros. A man by the name of William Burtkney guided me after reaching Westeros, but I see that he has had no intentions on escorting me into your halls. I do not know why, but that maybe something to look into."

[simon]

Usually, if it was a visitor from the capital, then they would have some sort of warning. Infact, any visitor that had no hostile intentions usually sent something beforehand in order to alert them of their arrival, but for this case, it was not, as the man who introduced himself as "Roker Frostwyrm" bowed and answered his questions, telling him that he came from Lorath in Essos, and as to why he was here, he wished to serve and bring about his own glory. The question was, why Westeros? and why come to him? Part of his questions in his mind was then answered, "I only know of you because of a stranger who became my friend on a ship that had ferried me here to Westeros". Seems he was more known than he thought if it reached into Essos. Course, he was in Braavos for a year so maybe that was to do with it also.

Roker then began to explain how a "William Burtkney" led him the rest of the way but did not appear to come into Bronzegate, or at least to him. Strange, but then again, everyone had their reasons. "Well, I am honored to say the least, to have you here in Bronzegate, though did I hear correctly by the fact you said you wish to serve, in which case, you have come to me in order to serve me, or you come to me for information?", he asked, curious what the answer may be.

As for William Burtkney, it was a name that intrigued him, since he had never heard of it, but if he had brought him to Bronzegate, he must be in the area per se.

[shibatatim]

Roker noticed that the lord of house took his answer smoothly. In turn asking him another question. "Well, I am honored to say the least, to have you here in Bronzegate, though did I hear correctly by the fact you said you wish to serve, in which case, you have come to me in order to serve me, or you come to me for information?"

In truth he could elaborate on the matter, but it was his own way of speaking. He was generally to the point and did not let his lips be to loose, allowing words to flow freely. Roker Frostwyrm knelt down to one knee. Releasing his sword from the tie that held it to his waist and then laid it before him. Before he spoke calmly once more to the lord of the house.

"I have come to serve you, Lord Darius Ullstide."

[simon]

Darius sure was curious as to the reason why Roker had travelled in the way from the rich free cities to the east which was not in a state of war, coming all the way to Westeros, to him. To Westeros, it could simply be seen as him being some sort of mercenary, taking advantage of the war, to use his skills, and like he said, to increase his own glory. He would of thought that he would of volunteered for work with one of the Kings, King Joffrey, or King Stannis, or King Robb.

Then the unexpected happened when Roker knelt to him. He looked up and nodded to one of the guards who were on guard as they went out. Once they had, he looked down towards Roker. "I have come to serve you, Lord Darius Ullstide". He was still very curious as to why, but it sure was an honor. He asked for no payment, came here out of his own choice, so he must be doing something right.

Bracing in the moment, and standing straight, before commanding in an authoritive tone, "Rise, Roker. I am honored for you to join my House, and as such, you must meet my two eldest sons who will be sure to assist you, when I am unavaliable", he spoke, putting his hand on Roker's shoulder and giving a smile, before he turned towards the door, beckoning him to do the same.

As if on cue, Silus walked in with his head high. His sword hanging from his scabbard on his belt. He was Darius' eldest son and looked pretty similar except a much younger and much handsome version, with hair reaching to his shoulders and a beard which he maintains so it doesn't overgrow. Silus tended to think things through before making a move, especially since often taking over his fathers' duties when he was away, so he was intellectual, aswell as resourceful with his weapons. He always liked to be prepared. "I was told we had someone joining us, someone from Essos. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Silus, Silus Ullstide", before turning to father, "I also believe that Jarus needs a telling to, it seems he's been earwigging while letting all that food go cold".

Not wishing for his brother to start spoiling things, Jarus then sighed and walked in with the maids at the little banquet all prepared behind him as he walked in. He turned to Roker and smiled, "Told you I'll prepare something", walking towards him away from Mr Uppity of a brother, while the maids got the little banquet he had ordered to come into place. While Silus kept his station and kept all officially, Jarus was more approachable and more active as he announced himself, "Jarus Ullstide, at your service", with a cheeky smirk, before saying quietly to Roker, "Being the son of a Lord is nothing to brag about, especially to a stranger whose intentions are unknown", to explain his reasoning for his whole act. Silus might think he was smart, but Silus would never fake identities as he did. Besides, he was a rubbish actor compared to him.

[shibatatim]

Darius Ullstide had accepted him into his service, placing his hand on his shoulder. Before asking him to follow him, which he did. He was then introduced to his two children Silus and Jarus. Silus was much older than the other and had a more serious tone about him.

"Nice to meet you Silus Ullstide. Roker Frostwyrm said before turning to the cheeky Jarus. Who he was under the impression was William Burktney. A small lie and one that Roker could understand. "Willi...I mean Jarus. It is a pleasure to know your true name. Now that we all know each other and of my intentions, I hope that there shall be no call for further lies. My friend."

There should be no call for further lies. Roker Frostwyrm had just pledged his allegiance to the house of Ullstide. He had asked for no sort of pay or anything, but it was of course expected that he would receive food and board of course. He had traveled from Essos all the way here and had finally made it. His adventure had just begun, but it was well underway.

[simon]

To the back of the chamber, the maids had set a table and now put fruit and other delicasses onto the table as the Ullstides met their newest recruit. Darius' face remained straight and solid as Silus reported on Jarus' activities before Jarus then entered with a smile, tellign Roker, "Told you I'll prepare something". It was indeed quite curious how Jarus already known about him before Roker's response explained it when he addressed him, "Willi...I mean Jarus". Silus was smart and strong, but Jarus was fast and cunning, each of them having their strengths, but together they were quite a pair.

"It is a pleasure to know your true name. Now that we all know each other and my intentions, I hope that there shall be no call for furthur lies. My friend", as Jarus raised his eyebrow, "Lie is quite a strong word Roker, when I'm merely protecting myself and my House. Sometimes, there are things that we must do when we have no choice, especially when wandering towards the forest where absolutely anyone could be in there", he explained.

It was then Silus who spoke next since Roker had welcomed him, "Jarus means no offence, and I believe I speak for all of us that we are glad to have you with us. It is not common that we have visitors from Essos, especially those who have come to remain with us, but you can be sure that you will be treated here as if this was your home, and hope that you will find yourself comfortable here".

With his sons speaking with their latest recruit, Darius had his eyes upon them, before seeing the maids leave, in which he then interjected himself back into the conversation, "I believe the banquet has been prepared. Shall we?", extending his arm for Roker to lead as he and his sons followed, before digging in to the variety on display....

(OOC: Apologies for late reply)

[shibatatim]

Roker thought to himself as Jarius replied. "Lie is quite a strong word Roker, when I'm merely protecting myself and my House. Sometimes, there are things that we must do when we have no choice, especially when wandering towards the forest where absolutely anyone could be in there." Though no matter how he worded it it was still a lie. Despite his intentions which were now known to him. Which he himself could understand, travelers must not be all that common.

Silus then spoke, reassuring his own thoughts. As Silus explained what Roker was already thinking. That there was not many travelers who cam from Essos and especially not many that wished to serve. Roker felt as comfortable as he could here. He was new here so everything felt strange and foreign, but he felt at ease with the lords of the house feasting with him. They had prepared what he would consider a banquet. Roker was not use to such large meals as he came from a small farming village, despite being a volunteer military force.

He took his seat after entering this new room. Minding to keep his elbows off of the table; as his mother crept into his mind. "Keep your elbows off the table!" Which was often led by a smack in the back of the head. Though those times had passed, he would not forget such things, manners. Roker enjoyed the food that was presented and did not want to seem rude. So after eating a few fruits that he had laid onto his plate he turned to the lord of the house.

"Lord Darius, if I may ask, is your house currently at war with anyone?"

[simon]

As they ate, taking part of the banquet before them as the hands of four strong men charged for what they wanted before taking away and savouring every taste and every bite, before Roker brought up an important question, "Lord Darius, if I may ask, is your house currently at war with anyone?". It was quite a hard question to answer, since for Ullstide itself, it was quite friendly in this region, and on it's own, it had no enemies, but with it's relations with House Baratheon of King's Landing since the time of King Robert Baratheon, it tied them in with the upcoming conflict that Joffrey had spoken about. However, it was hard to do anything about it with no army to use. Bronzegate was no military post, despite being a stronghold. All the King's Horses and all the King's Men were all at the capital. Not here,

"Our House itself is not at war, but from the time of the late King Robert Baratheon, House Ullstide has supported House Baratheon of King's Landing, which also comes under our new King, King Joffrey Baratheon, who sits on the Iron Throne now. So as far as war for us, our enemies would likely be those who are enemies against King Joffrey, though the fact we have made no action as of yet, sorta has us weighing ourselves on a pair of scales to see which way we will go.....", he explained.

[shibatatim]

The lord of the house, Darius Ullstide, answer was a curious one. He had half expected him to say 'yes', but this was not the case. Instead he described how they were tied to the Iron Throne and their allegiance to them. Though no war had broken out in this region as of yet. Roker ate a piece of salted pork and then began to speak on his turn.

"I must say that you are doing well then, my lord. Though I saw no army in the region, despite guards of course and the strong arms of your sons." He said with a smirk, though it turned quickly as to not offend him. He thought in his own mind that asking questions would begin to seem suspicious, though he had just pledged his loyalty to Lord Ullstide's house.

[simon]

Silus helped himself to the meats, making sure he is well fed, while Jarus simply helped himself to whatever taken his fancy, enjoying the variety of tastes that settled in his mouth. He loved sweet tastes. Darius ate slowly while his mind thought about the war, and then Roker's statement, "I must say that you are doing well then, my lord. Though I saw no army in the region, despite guards of course and the strong arms of your sons". "Could not of spoke any truer Roker. I look forward for fighting alongside you", was Silus' reply, while Jarus sighed with his eyes up at the ceiling, "Don't praise him too much. Goes straight to his head", with a smirk on his face as he looked to his older brother.

His sons were strong, with Theden, being as young as he was, still training, eager to please, eager to have more responsibility. Theden was also quite a fighter, though right now, his elder brothers were often in the way, though they did help him out and train with him. Roker was right that they were doing well with no army in the region, but it would start getting dangerous if Kings Landing fell. "Indeed we are fortunate. However, the cloud of war hangs over us, and soon, we must make our move, as it has been reported to Kings Landing of King Stannis' army approaching. I am not sure how much you are acquainted with the politics of this land, but after the late King Robert Baratheon, his son, Joffrey, has taken the throne. However, his brother, Stannis, believes Joffrey to not be Robert's legitimate son, and as such, he has risen his own forces to take what is his, and then we have a King of the North, Robb Stark. It seems everyone wants to be a King these days", smirking.

[shibatatim]

As the juices of the fruits and meats flavored his tongue, he sighed a bit in a delightful manner. Truthfully he did not know much of this region at all. Say for what the Ullstide son had offered up to him and now the lord of the house, Darius. He reached for the glass that was in front of him and noticed that there wasn't anything in it. As well as he had noticed the reaction of Darius' sons, it seemed one of them was thinking highly of himself.

"Lord Darius, I must say that I do not know anything of the politics or wars in this region. The names of lords and locations on a map are as foreign as your cooks prepare your food; though I can say that the food is most delicious. In any case, when war comes to your doorstep or you must march; you can count on me." Roker said briefly and to the point. Before his next question came up. "What is your alcohol like here? There is no urgency in your land at the moment so I don't see an issue with divulging myself in your lands ale. The drink in Esso is quite strong." He added at the end sorta as a joke.

[simon]

Darius smiled as he heard Silus and Jarus bicker amongst themselves. It was true that Roker seemed quite skilled, and he'd be sure to see him in action before the need to march was needed. Seeing that Darius once went to Essos himself, where he himself was taught a few skills to fight, skills that he passed onto his sons, he knew there was many capable fighters in Essos. The question was whether those from Essos was genuine, and to him, it seemed Roker was genuine. As he then responded to him, telling him how unaware of the politics he was, but when war came to them, or there was a need to march, he would be beside them.

House Ullstide was indeed strong with much talent under it, but no real place. Ullstide had begun as a minor House on Tarth, surrounded by water, and now were holders of Bronzegate, a fort on the outskirts of the Kingswood. The House was going up, but there was alot more at stake now, with whatever way this war goes, as Ullstide must move soon. As the motto goes, "Don't stop the flight", so they must keep on moving, keep flying, and never to give up, never to stop. The higher one flies, the higher one falls.

"What is your alcohol like here? There is no urgency in your land at the moment so I don't see an issue with divulging myself in your lands ale. The drink in Essos is quite strong", Roker commented as Darius responded with a chuckle, "Indeed it is.....I drank plenty myself when I was in Essos, though we do have some unique and such sweet tastes here", as the corner of his mouth tugged and smiled, as his head motioned to Jarus for a bottle which he kept close to him. Jarus grinned before passing the bottle, motioning Roker his glass before pouring for him.

[shibatatim]

He smiled in kind as his friend Jarus poured his glass full. Just before he took a swig however, he spoke. "Thank you my friend." Letting the brim of the glass breach his lips, he tasted the lands ale and swished it a bit in his mouth before swallowing his drink. "Indeed it does have a sweet taste." Roker commented before resting the glass on the table in front of him.

Keeping his elbows off of the table once more, he lifted his hands up to his chin. "Tell me, Lord Darius, you say you have been to Essos; well I hope your journey there was a pleasant one. There are numerous tribesmen and greedy individuals there who only seek to topple one another. Where did you go, who did you see?" It was odd, really. Normally Roker Frostwyrm was a quiet man, but he figured it would be rude not to keep up a decent conversation with his host and new lord.

[simon]

Filling up Roker's glass, Jarus smiled as he saw Roker smile before thanking him, "Thank you my friend". After such a long journey and now this feast that he had arranged, Roker would settle in fine, though he still owed him a spar, being first in line before Silus who seemed to desire being first. Too slow brother, Jarus told himself to amuse him, as he watched him take a swig of the sweet wine, "Indeed it does have a sweet taste". Nevertheless, he no doubt wished to impress his new lord, their lord father, "Tell me, Lord Darius..", as Jarus picked a few more delicious tasty delicasses while Silus dived into the meaty stuff, yet somehow he kept fit and thin all the same.

Darius in the meanwhile kept a watch over all three of them. He knew that Jarus would have the wine, while Silus would demonstrate how much of a man he was. Each of them had their downsides and perks, but loved them both all the same. Theden was otherwise occupied with the guards and keeping an eye on his younger sister, though when he marched, Silus and Jarus would join him, leaving him as the man of the House. He was a capable young man however, and Darius had much confidence in his youngest son and what made a father proud, for all his sons, was how they grow from the time they took their first steps, and now wielding swords and being proud warriors.

"you say you have been to Essos..", Roker asked, "well I hope your journey there was a pleasant one. There are numerous tribesmen and greedy individuals there who only seek to topple one another. Where did you go, who did you see?", which in itself made him chuckle. He was indeed a curious one, "That is indeed true Roker and something I was aware of since while fighting for the Iron Throne, there were some sellswords who I were acquainted with from Essos who informed him. However, there is not much those greedy individuals can have from a minor Lord with nothing on him except a sharp pointy blade which I made a point....to show off", smirking at his play on words.

"I got into a small bother, but managed to pull it off, where a Braavoski swordsmen observed me, the same swordsmen who took me to Braavos to harness my skills", he explained, before asking a question of his own, "You mentioned earlier how you came to bring about your own glory, and how a friend on a ship to Westeros informed you about me....but what compelled you to come to Westeros to fight here, rather than fight in Essos?", he himself being curious now.