272 AC
Chapter IV
The Tournament at Seagard
Jonos
The tournament at Seagard was hosted by House Mallister, one of Lord Hoster's principal bannerman. Some from the other regions of the Seven Kingdoms also joined in the festivities. House Tully, the Lords Paramount of the Trident, had also decided to join the rest of their vassals in merriment and entertainment. The tournament attracted knights, both household and hedge, to the coastal castle for the competition. These knights brought along their retainers and squires. Like most major regional tournaments, the hosts hosted many events. In addition to the traditional armored joust, grand melee, and archery competitions, there were separate events just for squires, commoners, and the unknighted. Though they sometimes went by different names, they were in essence competitions for squires. It was the only form of tournament competition that the young Jonos Arryn would be allowed to compete in.
Jonos paced back and forth in Ser Brynden's tent. The tent was empty besides him, but Ser Brynden's personal luggage and other furniture were scattered about the tent. He ran through what might happen in his head. He knew he would only be going against other squires. However, he knew he was younger than most of them. He only finished his training as a page six months prior to the tournament. Most of them were more experienced and had been through prior competitions in other major tournaments. While he felt well drilled and had enough confidence in his preparation, it was not enough to make the knots in his stomach go away. Ordinarily, he would be trying to find something to make the mood lighter. His thoughts were too busy racing to think of anything of the sort.
"Jonos!" At that moment Jonos' temporary stupor had been broken. Lysa always had a habit of startling him. She could pop up at any moment without any warning. Whether it is his archery practice in the range at Riverrun, wandering the castle halls, or even mindlessly daydreaming in his quarters. Not that she was unwelcome. Ever since Jonos arrived in Riverrun a couple years ago, she and her sister, Catelyn, had been one of his constant companions in Riverrun. They quickly replaced Robert and Ned as his playmates, though he still kept in touch with them through letters he sent back home. Though in recent years as the trio grew older, they would play less often as the responsibilities of imminent adulthood loomed ahead of them. However, no matter how Jonos felt, he was still in essence a child, only living through thirteen name days. And children still imagined themselves as knights and princesses, though they now had a certain direction from which they could make that dream a reality.
"Huh?" Jonos stammered at a loss for words. Although Lysa was a welcome distraction, Jonos still didn't feel like himself. Usually he would be thinking of a witty line, or some joke. However, the mood and inspiration for that comedy still escaped him at the moment.
"Uncle Brynden says you're needed, come on!" Lysa declared. She smiled and tugged at his arm. Lysa wasn't very strong considering she was a girl of nine, but Jonos didn't resist her as she dragged him out of the tent.
The competitions for the squires occurred in the late morning. The main competitions would occur in the late afternoon. Those competitions would most likely be followed by a feast. Most would leave Seagard the next day, though some may decide to linger for their own reasons. Most of the on-lookers, and nobility would attend those, choosing to spend the time during the squires competitions in their own tents or milling about. Thus, the spectators only included other squires, their knights, and sometimes their family members. The area for the squires competitions was much less elaborate than the main ground for the main competitions. It looked hastily set up. The ring itself was not very big, constructed with only the most basic wooden material. There were also no jousting competitions for just squires, only restricted to the sword, the melee, and sometimes archery, though it was not included in this tournament much to Jonos' disappointment.
Lysa and Jonos arrived in the pavilion for the competitions just as one of the bouts ended. The losing squire had fallen through the fencing requiring hasty repairs to be made. Ser Brynden Tully, nodded at his squire acknowledging his presence. Catelyn also stood next to him. Not many ladies or in this case young ladies attended the squires competitions. They would either wait for the main competitions later on, or simply skip the competitions all together and make their appearances at the feast. Ser Brynden had promised the two sisters they could watch Jonos' first competition. Jonos knew Ser Brynden would never break a promise to either of his nieces. Lord Hoster wasn't all too keen for it, but eventually relented after they pleaded with him earlier in the morning.
"Excellent, you bought the Falcon, although one would think a bird of prey would catch a fish instead of the other way around," Ser Brynden jested. Jonos tried to laugh as he usually did. However, he felt as though his breakfast would leave him before he started competing.
"He's going to do great! Isn't he Uncle?" Lysa was much more excited than even Jonos himself was. Lysa had always seemed to have more energy about her than her sister. But it was only amongst people she knew, because she was terribly shy when it came to strangers. Jonos received the same treatment his sister gave his friend Robert when he first arrived at Riverrun. It was only after his first month in Riverrun that Lysa fully opened up to him.
"It depends on him. I did my part in training him. If he does what I know he is capable of in training, he should put on a proper performance." Ser Brynden looked him up and down, "I just hope he isn't seeing ghosts."
"I'm sure you'll do fine, won't you Jonos," Catelyn stated. The two sisters surrounded him now. They were both much shorter than he was. They were both similar in appearance, but Catelyn was slightly taller and less petite than her sister Lysa. They had the signature red hair of House Tully, and wore dresses that matched the colour of their house. Some of the other squires seemed jealous of the attention he received from the two. It was only natural he received that reaction from other boys when they saw him with Catelyn and Lysa. They were already of the age where they began to feel attracted and not repulsed by the opposite, or in some cases the same sex.
"Yes," Jonos managed to muster. He gave a smile, something that he did to both raise his and their spirits up.
"Yeah, you can't do worse than the other Jonos. Didn't even score a point, but what do you expect from a Bracken," Tytos Blackwood, one of Jonos' close acquaintances during his squirting, declared.
"Shut it, Blackwood. None of us won our opening matches. That means the only chance of silverware we have is the melee later. None of our displays were any good," Jonos Bracken retorted. He was also quite close with Jonos, but unfortunately Tytos and Jonos never seemed to get along due to the blood feud between their families. Jonos wondered why Lord Brynden accepted both to become his squires. Not counting Lord Hosters squires, they were the only other squires under Ser Brynden's tutelage.
"I was up four points before the last round in my match," Blackwood triumphantly declared.
"Then, you decided you wanted to show off of Lord Hoster's daughters and got swiftly knocked out with your back turned. Amazing performance," Bracken yawned. Just as the two were about to come to blows, they heard an announcement from a herald.
"Attention combatants of the next bout, Squire Jonos and Squire Raymun, please report or be disqualified," the herald announced hastily. Immediately, Jonos separated himself from the others and went into the ring.
The sparse onlookers had their eyes trained on the two combatants of the opening round of the squires sword tournament. Rightfully, the competitions of squires did not receive the same attention as the main competitions. However, each of the knights that attended watched the progress of their squires and pupils. This along with their performances in court, in the field, and even in other aspects of their education would be what determined when or whether they would become knights in the future.
The squire he faced was roughly the same height as he was. Jonos assumed he was the same age, as there was no indication by his appearance indicating otherwise. He held his sword confidently enough, and his stance was solid. They both wore the same padded armor, not half plate like the senior sword competition. Thoughts ran through Jonos' mind, but when he got set in his stance, he knew he had to show no weakness. Ser Brynden had always taught him to not give anything away to his opponent. The key to combat was being unpredictable. You should not show strength, weakness, or anything to your opponent. An opponent that appears to be a blank slate is the most dangerous.
"Begin!" The squire made the first move, as he lunged at him. The opening swipe was horrible. He looked off balance when he slashed at him. All his weight had predictably fallen forward on his sword. Jonos easily parried the strike, and responded with a swift hit to his midsection.
"Two points!" the arbiter inside the ring stated. Jonos felt the unease leave him immediately. He immediately showcased a bit of fine footwork. A smile formed on his face. The other squire, a little dazed, tried to earn the two points back by clumsily trying to reply with a flurry of strikes. All Jonos had to do was sidestep these blows. He stood there and landed a blow to his back, and then swept him off his feet with a heavy low arching blow. The boy hit the ground with a thud, "Seven total points scored for Squire Jonos. The first round is over."
Ser Brynden went to his side after the round had ended. Blackwood, Bracken, and the two sisters joined him as well.
"Alright, good work. If you get another knockdown, you win the match."
"I told you he was going to win, Uncle!" Lysa exclaimed, not even trying to hide the admiration in her voice. Catelyn was a little more composed, and just smiled.
"He hasn't won yet, Lysa. Don't get overconfident, and stay composed. You don't have to end it, but I'd prefer you just put the fish out of his misery"
"A fish? Like your coat of arms Ser Brynden?" Blackwood stated.
"Not what I meant. Do what you're trained to do. And don't get complacent!"
With that, they assembled in the center of the ring. The arbiter stood at the center with them, "Begin!"
As soon as the Arbiter told him to begin, he lunged at the other squire. He knew he had the advantage in skill, so he decided to press it now. The squire held out a little bit as they traded at the center of the ring.
"Yielding might make things easier," Jonos declared as he made blows with his sword. A lot of the nervous energy had turned into pure adrenaline now. Jonos could feel free and unfettered now.
Jonos eventually got past his guard and started landing a flurry of blows to the squire. He could not block all of them and eventually Jonos started scoring points at will .He get so engrossed at trying to knock down his opponent to end that match, he did not notice how many he had scored before the Arbiter separated the two of he stopped battering the poor young lad, Jonos realized he might have gotten carried away in the heat of the fight.
"This match is over. Squire Jonos beats Squire Raymun, fifteen points to nothing. Squire Jonos wins by technical superiority," He could hear the reaction of the small crowd, some offering a few claps, as well as a few whistles. Of course the only major reaction her received was from Lysa, her sister Catelyn, and the rest of the people accompanying Ser Brynden, "Will the next squires please enter the ring, Squire Jason and Squire Denys."
Jonos eventually got knocked out in the semi-final match with a sword. He would then recuperate in his last bout to win third place, apparently more than a commendable finish for a newly made squire. He found himself smiling more and more as he notched wins. He even traded a few taunts with his opponents during each of his matches, which he had the habit of doing. His friends watched each of his bouts, with Lysa cheering the loudest, Catelyn giving him reassuring smiles and more silent support, and Bracken and Blackwood both threatening to fight each other during Jonos' bout. After a moderate injury to his ankle that Jonos picked up during the last match for third place, Ser Brynden pulled him from the melee, much to Jonos' disappointment. However, he couldn't change Ser Brynden's mind who didn't want to risk his health in a meaningless squire melee. Ser Brynden did reassure him that he would have probably placed highly in the melee, given his placing in the sword. But he also told him due to his performance in the sword, he would be more likely to receive unfavorable conditions such as multiple competitors teaming up against him. With his injury, it might get aggravated. So, Jonos found himself in House Tully's tent receiving treatment. Catelyn volunteered to help treat the injuries under the supervision of the septas under the service of House Tully.
"Hold still Jonos, it will hurt more if you keep moving," Catelyn told him as he stitched up the gash on his forehead that he received in the quarter final match. In addition to his injured left ankle, he also picked that up when he was knocked down from a blow to the head in the quarter finals. He was lucky he was up fifteen points to seven points in the very last round and the knockdown meant he won by one point.
"Its kind of hard when you have a needle so dangerously close to your eyes,"
"Those are wonderful stitches, Lady Catelyn. You are progressing well," the septa supervising them stated. After the squires melee, which Jonos was forced to watch on the side due to his injuries, Ser Brynden had to get prepared for the main competitions. Since Jonos was not fit to help him prepare, Ser Brynden told him to stay in the family's main tent and watch the main competitions with them in the stands. This was not pleasing to Jonos, but he had to begrudgingly accept. While he wanted to be able to participate as one of the squires and take a hands-on role in the event, one of things squires must learn is that they have to follow orders they were given. Eventually, when Jonos became a knight, which was a long way away, he would be able to do whatever he wanted. No longer constrained to what someone told him, unless he became a household knight.
"Maybe if you didn't take a reckless hit to the head, you wouldn't need to get patched up like this," Catelyn said smiling.
"He was wide open. I didn't know it was a trap,"
"That's our Jonos, acting first before thinking," Jonos sighed. Sometimes, he felt like Catelyn acted more like his mother at home. He even felt that Catelyn was more protective over those she was close to than even his own mother. It felt odd coming from someone, two years his junior. However, Catelyn seemed to act more mature than most boys his age that he interacted with. Girls really did seem to mature faster than boys, especially when they are able to have more etiquette than boys four years their senior. Then again, given how Bracken and Blackwood acted, Jonos mused it wasn't hard to outclass boys in maturity. Even Jonos himself admitted he, himself, wasn't far off from the maturity level of his friends.
"I thought you were amazing, Jonos," Lysa chimed in watching her sister finish up his stitches. Jonos breathed a sigh of relief after the final stitch was placed on his head.
"You are very kind, Lysa. Unfortunately, I still lost,"
"But you did get third. That's great, you even got a prize. I could tell Uncle Brynden was impressed," The loser's prize, Jonos thought in his head. But of course he kept his smile, for all the world to see. He was the same, happy carefree Jonos. He had always retained his playful side, even as he grew older. He was glad to receive good recognition for his performance in the sword. However, he did not compete to be third best, or second best for that matter. Victory meant being the most distinguished, with no one being your superior. That was something Ser Brynden had taught him from the moment he became his squire. It pays to be a winner.
"You're right, Lysa. I'm glad you always try to cheer me up whenever I do anything," Jonos told her. Lysa smiled. Jonos always thought her smile seemed to light up wherever she went. It wasn't hard to find her like that when she was around Jonos. Though Jonos had no idea why. Jonos had the habit of cracking jokes to try to make people smile, but he didn't even need to do that with Lysa. She just seemed unnaturally happy around him, even for the energetic girl of nine that she was with people she was familiar with.
"Besides, Jonos. Think about it this way, you were the only squire out of father and uncle's that got out of the first round of the sword competition. That in itself is a victory," Catelyn explained. Catelyn, despite being younger, seemed to try to take a more logical and assured approach with Jonos. Even during the times they would play when they were younger, Catelyn would take roles that were associated with caring and nurturing. She wouldn't cheer him up with energy and enthusiasm like Lysa would, but would rather give him calm and gentle encouragement. But whenever Jonos got her to laugh or break from it, he would realize that behind what she projected still lay a girl of ten. Sometimes he would forget she was younger than him, but during those times it would lay bare in front of him that she was just a young girl, like he was a young boy.
"I wasn't the only one who won a victory today. Bracken and Blackwood managed to double eliminate each other during the melee. What a sight it was. Both had a few rounds of words for each other after they woke up from their slumber," Jonos explained. Catelyn smiled and let out an uncharacteristic giggle.
Before their conversation could continue, the sisters' father Lord Hoster, his wife, and their younger brother entered the tent. Their personal guard and entourage followed them into what was the Tully family tent.
"I heard you performed well in the squires events from my brother," Lord Hoster greeted him.
"Only placed in third, my lord. Quite a disappointing result," Jonos replied.
"I see, my brother passed his high standards of victory onto his squire, even the one who performed admirably seems disappointed in himself," Lord Hoster mused, "No matter, Lord Mallisters servants have finished setting up the lists for the jousts. The sooner this is over, the sooner we can get back to Riverrun." While Lord Hoster would not be competing in any of the competitions, the final joust would definitely be a sight to see for Jonos. He dreamed that he might one day take home a prize at a major tourney, once he himself became a knight.
"Will Uncle be riding in the tournament, father?" Lysa asked with excitement in her voice.
"Of course. He seemed disappointed that your friend, Jonos wouldn't be helping him due to injuries he sustained in his first squires competitions,"
"I'm ready and able, sire!" Jonos stated, however, as he got up from the stool he was sitting on when he got stitches from Catelyn, he rolled his ankle. Catelyn quickly came to his aid, helping him up. Jonos felt searing pain in his left ankle, not being able to put much weight on it.
"By the Gods, Jeyne won't forgive me if anything happens to you. There are plenty more opportunities to help, my goodbrother, I assure you little falcon," Lady Whent reassured him. Jonos felt that Catelyn would end up just like her mother when she grew older. Ever since Jonos arrived in Riverrun, Lady Minisa treated him like her own son. Though Lady Minisa had to go through much pain, with several would-be siblings for Catelyn and Lysa dying in stillbirth. When Edmure was born a few years ago, Jonos could see that some of the burdens that Lord Hoster and his wife held escaped them. Though Lady Minisa remained in fragile health.
"Now then, I'm sure you don't want to miss any of the jousts. Let us be off,"
Seagard, though not a small castle by any means, was packed with many nobles, commoners, and other onlookers for the jousts. Unlike the events that featured the squires, there was much fanfare and attention from the onlookers. Jonos sat in the position of honor that House Tully received as they were Lords paramount of the Trident. Being their ward had the benefits that came. From his seat in the stands, he could see a lot of the action, much like a hawk in a nest. Perched up high. Alongside him sat the rest of the Tully family, with the two sisters sitting beside him. Also sat beside him were the members of House Mallister, who would not be competing in the tournament. Sat next to him was Jason, the heir and someone he had indirectly competed with in the squires tournament. He ended up finishing lower than him in the sword, but won the squires melee earlier. According to Bracken, he only won because a lot of the squires were willing to let him just win.
The competitions progressed as Jonos watched what the future might hold for him. High speed jousts, filled with spectacular collisions and impacts from the lances. The losing knights would fall with a thud, while the winning knights were showered with cheers and applause from the crowd. Jonos imagined himself in the position of the winning knights. He tried to visualize what it would be like to be declared the victor of the joust, and maybe even an entire tournament. It was truly the premier competition in tournament competitions, overshadowing all the other events including the sword, the melee, among other things.
Eventually, there were only four competitors left in the tournament, one of them included Ser Brynden. He would be going up against Jason's father, and other riverlanders from houses Jonos failed to remember. Ser Brynden was fresh off a one tilt demolition of the head of House Darry. Jonos could see Bracken and Blackwood, his only other squires help him prepare to face his opponent. His plate armor seemed to glisten in the sun, meaning whoever oiled in preparation for the tournament needed to be commended. The heraldry of House Tully adorned his shield and his surcoat. All of which was coloured in the blue and red of his house. Jonos could imagine the day he would ride in a tournament. He would have the heraldry of his house adorned on his surcoat and his shield. The falcon of House Arryn on a field of Blue and White. That would definitely be a sight to see.
"Uncle looks gallant does he not father?" Catelyn asked. Lord Hoster gave an unreadable expression.
"Yes, of course my dear," He replied, not much enthusiasm in his voice. Even Jonos knew there was something different about the relationship the two siblings shared. Unlike Sharra and him, or even Catelyn and Lysa, they seemed uncharacteristically cold about their interaction with one another. Jonos just couldn't quite put a finger on why this was the case.
"His opponents' wearing all black. Who does he think is, Aegon Targaryen?" Jonos quipped. It was true, the knight that stood across from Ser Brynden wore a plate painted all black. He did have heraldry painted upon his armor, as well as on his shield. Bats on a yellow field. Lysa giggled, but then spoke up.
"That's Uncle Oswell. I doubt you would know him, I've only ever seen him once," Jonos knew he had recognized the heraldry from somewhere. He was a member of the same house Lord Hoster's wife had been born into. Jonos had never heard of Ser Oswell, so he assumed he had been recently knighted or had a negligible tournament record. Although making it to the semi-finals of a major regional tournament was no easy task.
Eventually, after the knights presented themselves to the crowd, they lined up ready to charge at each other. The crowd began to build their cheers to a crescendo, before the knights charged at one another. The horses began to gallop towards the center of the lists. Ser Brynden and Ser Oswell crouched their lances, and raised their shields from the inevitable impact.
Each knight's lance struck true to the center of the shields. The lances splintered on impact, as each knight managed to stay on their horse with ease despite the harsh impact.
"That's two points for each. Will be here awhile," Lord Hoster yawned. His prediction would definitely prove true, as each of the knights began to trade as the tilts went on. Each would match the point tally of the other.
"So when will Uncle knock him off?" Lysa asked, clearly getting bored of watching. Jonos however, watched the situation with keen interest.
"I don't know if he can Lysa,"
"What? But won't he lose if he can't?"
"Not necessarily, he just has to land a clean hit now without getting hit. Unfortunately, your other uncle Oswell has him in a position of great danger. Brynden is starting to lose speed, and due to Oswell's clear advantage in stamina due to his age, he might just overpower him in the next tilt," Lord Hoster chimed in. He took the thoughts out of his mind. Ser Brynden was only twenty seven. He had definitely aged since the first time Jonos saw him a couple years ago when he had just entered his twenties.
The next pass was about to happen, curiously Oswells guard was much lower than had once had during the previous tilts. Suddenly, Jonos realized what was happening. He had seen this one too many times in practice tilts they had in Riverrun.
"Ser Brynden, he's going to shift!" Jonos yelled, but the crowd noise seemed to have drowned out his voice. Before he knew it, it was too late. The dust cleared after the impact of the lances. Ser Brynden rolled around in the dirt, as Ser Oswell trotted around with his lance raised. Surprisingly, he went over to where Jonos was seated. Jonos assumed it was to pay respects to the tournament organizers, but Oswell went directly to him. He took off his black bat helm.
"So you knew I would shift, did you?" Oswell asked. Jonos was surprised he could even hear him through the crowd. Jonos nodded, "Observant child you are. What might your name be?"
"Jonos. Jonos Arryn,"
"Well Jonos," He said as he threw him the bat helm, "Keep that. I look forward to crossing lances with you if you indeed become a knight." As he trotted off on his horse, Jonos made a mental reminder to himself. One day he would be a knight, and cross lances with Oswell Whent. And he promised on his honor that the result would not be the same.
A/N: Nice to finally write something again. Sorry I was busy with a lot of stuff for the semester of college and wanted to secure the bag before continuing. I didnt want to write something half-assed so I held off on writing until everything was done with the hectic semester. The next chapter will be posted this Monday and not two months from now I can promise you that. I hope you enjoyed the tournament at Seagard. The 'sword' event was heavily inspired from the tournament scenes from both A Knights Tale and the old TV show Merlin. I also introduced Oswell Whent, WHO ISNT KINGSGUARD...yet. Overall, I hope I wrote the relationship between the sisters and Jonos well. I'm trying not to introduce romantic aspects (barring crushes or puppy love) as I am uncomfortable writing major romance angles literal nine and ten year olds (or in Jonos Case 13). It is also the first major time skip of four years, as we are staying in 272 for a bit as a lot happened in that year. The next POV will be the first non Arryn POV. Without spoiling it, it is the an event that includes a cannon divergence because of the presence of Jonos Arryn. Regarding other housekeeping, Petyr Baelish will be introduced in the coming chapters, but his characterization might be a LOT different than what most stories use him as. Also I have adjusted Lyanna's birth to 264 as she was described as the same age as Cersei and Jaime and when I adjusted their ages I had to adjust hers too.
