Chapter five
The Tourney and the hand
It would be mere minutes before the competitors would be called out for the melee. Justin was sweating profusely he wasn't sure if it was due to the heat or his nerves. He had fastened the silver winged horse to his belt as it would wouldn't fit under his gloves. "Dexard, who else is in the melee? Who should I look out for on the field?" Justin didn't know why he was bothering to ask these questions now, he should have asked these questions at least a few hours before to prepare himself. "Well they say Thoros of Myr coats his blade in wildfire to scare his foes and their mounts. He is definitely one to lookout for Ser and Ser Payne will be in the Tourney too. Although I doubt he is that dangerous I'm sure he'll be one person you'll want to pick out if you see him" Dexard stood up and fastened the Gorget to Justin's neck. Justin was incredibly nervous now, his first Tourney and his only chance to really prove to everyone just how good he is. "Ser Maxward you are about to be called to the field" a scrawny looking man had entered without Justin even noticed he had arrived, he simply nodded to the man and made his way towards the exit grabbing his helm and he made his way outside. Dexard has helped Justin up onto Thunder, his mouth was incredibly dry and he thought his legs would give out from under him but he was ready. Dexard handed Justin his shield, Justin remembered something his father had told him many years ago, "oak and iron guard me well, or else I'm dead and doomed to hell" Justin repeated it over and over in his head so many times he had barely noticed his name being called. "Taking the field now Ser Justin Maxward of Eaglesend" Justin brought Thunder to a slow trot waving towards the common folk and nobles alike. He had hoped to spot Rina in the crowd but he could not see her anywhere. The horn blew and the melee had begun, Justin was almost instantaneously pulled into a fight able to duck the blow of an unknown knight wielding a mace. He thought he may lose control of Thunder for a moment but he was able to swing back around and charge at the man lifting his shield and sword up as the man charged towards him, the mace landed a crunching blow against the shield, pain shot down Justin's arm from the shock of the blow, before he even had time to think about it he swung his sword towards the man catching him in the chest and knocking him off of his horse. Before Justin had time to celebrate this minor victory he was knocked off of his own horse falling flat on his back. Thunder had bolted at this point but Justin was able to get to his feet and fight on regardless. Justin was able to make a few eliminations mainly a bastard or a forth son of some lesser Lord. But that's when Justin had spotted it, the Sigil of house Payne he began slowly making his way towards Ser Payne stopping to clash swords with a few other competitors but almost completely ignoring them. "Payne, I'm here for justice, the justice you stole when you ran off like a craven bastard" Justin voiced roared over the Tourney grounds but with all the cheers and jeers no one other then himself or Ser Payne seemed to hear them. Payne did not respond to Justin he simply turned to face him and charged slamming his Morningstar down on Justin who was able to bring his shield up in time to block the blow. Justin swept his sword under the knee of Ser Payne causing the man to grunt in pain but not at all slowing him down, his attacks seemed to become more vicious and fast with every parry and counter attack Justin could muster. As Justin went for another swing Ser Payne's Morningstar connected with his hand causing him to cry out in agony grasping at his hand. It took Justin a few seconds before he noticed his sword was now half way across the field, but he would not yield to Ser Payne. As Payne came back around for another attack Justin used both hands to raise his shield and push back onto Ser Payne. He had not realised how much force he had put into it, both men toppled to the floor, both losing their shields and the Morningstar. Justin climbed up on top of Ser Payne and pulled out his dagger opening the visor of his opponents helm. "I yield, I yield" Ser Payne's voice sounded almost like a whimper a stark difference compared to the arrogant tone his voice usually held. Justin relented and climbed off the man. He began to look for another form of weapon, anything he could use to stay in the Tourney. But before he could he felt a sharp blow hit the back of his head. His head began to ring and his vision began to blur the last thing he remembered was his head hitting the ground.
Justin awoke staring up at the moldy wooden ceiling of the inn, his head was pounded and his body hurt all over. He placed his elbows at his sides and slowly began to push himself up. "Ser, let me help you" Justin looked over to see Dexard rushing across the room almost tripping over his own feet to get to Justin. Justin raised his arm and Dexard helped him into a sitting position. From here he saw his Uncle and Lady Rina, both asleep by the fire. "Get me a drink Dexard, water not wine and how long have I been gone? Who won the Tourney?" Dexard grabbed a cup from across the room handing it to Justin who gulped it down as if he was a man who had found an oasis in the red waste. "Well Ser Sandor Clegane won the jousting, although it was simply because Ser Loras yielded the match after sandor saved his life and Thoros of Myr won the melee. You've only been out for a few days, although the Maester thought you might be stirring when your uncle called for him so he gave you milk of the poppy, you'd most likely have woken a lot sooner if not for that I imagine" justin handed the cup back to Dexard gesturing for another cup. "What happened? The last thing I remember is Ser Payne yielding to me and feeling a sharp pain in my head, then I woke up here obviously" Dexard poured the water to a point where it had nearly overflowed. "A hedge knight Ser Culler of Ashford whacked you across the back of the head with his shield, after that he kept trying to attack you until your uncle took to the field and threatened to, ahem fuck him bloody with his own sword" Justin chucked at that, his uncle had always had a way with words, some not very nice words but that was his way. "Justin you're awake" Rina had shot out of her chair by the fire and headed straight for Justin wrapping her arms around him causing him to grunt in pain. "Oh I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Dexard hand me the milk of the poppy" Justin raised his hand up stopping Dexard from going to the vial. "He hasn't left you you know? He hasn't slept, me and your uncle have been sleeping pretty much the whole time but not your squire, he simply sits there either polishing your sword and armour or simply sitting there talking to you" Justin looked at Dexard who had turned a bright shade or red and was struggling to maintain eye contact with Justin. "Dexard, go get some sleep lad, you deserve it, take a few silvers out my purse get yourself a bed and a hot meal too" Dexard smiled and took the silvers from the purse leaving Justin and Rina in the room with his uncle who had began to snore rather loudly. "Why did you come here Rina? Aren't you scared of what your father will do when he finds out?" Rina placed her hand in Justin's tracing the lines of his hands with her fingers. "My father thinks I've gone back to the Reach with your uncle and aunt, he won't send a Raven or visit for a least a few months, he never does" Justin had forgotten about his uncle, did he still have to go back to the Reach now he was a Knight or could he finally go home, although it had been nearly 6 years since he left he missed the north, but mainly he missed his brothers and his mother. "Rina, I have to go soon, to see Lord Stark, I promised my uncle I would bend the knee for him, you've spent more time in courts and besides Ladies and Lords then I have, where is Lord Stark?" Justin had seen the dawn slowly creep through the window and knew that he should be going to pay his respects to his liege Lord. "Well he's hand of the king, so I would assume he'd be in the tower of the hand" Rina giggled and Justin simply smiled, admiring her beauty and wit. "In the old stories Knights used to climb towers to save a fair Lady, I'm climbing a tower to bend a knee" Justin laughed to himself. Justin pushed himself off of the bed almost losing his balance before regaining his composure and walking across the room to get dressed. "Do you not think you should send word of your arrival? I don't think Lord Stark would be much too pleased with a random visitor turning up at his door" Justin began buttoning up his doublet, the same Green doublet he had worn to the feast, he had not noticed the wine stain on it from that night, he threw the doublet back onto the chair and went for his old leather jerkin instead. Lord Stark was a no nonsense man, he would respect Justin more for dressing as he pleased, at least that's how Justin hoped Lord Stark would feel. "Lord Stark is hand of the king, I'm sure he's had more then a few uninvited guests at his door lately" Justin's hands began to shake with nerves, he tried to loop his belt around his waist but no matter how hard he tried it wouldn't work. Rina helped him in the end, being around her had always made him happy and calmed him down, he wished he could take her to the tower with him, but that would cause more problems then solve. "Don't worry Justin, Lord Stark will see you for who you are, regardless of how nervous you are or how many times you trip over your words. Your family have always been loyal bannermen to his, just show him you're as honourable as your ancestors who bent the knee to his ancestors" Justin breathed out slowly taking her hands in his and staring into her eyes. "Rina I promise you when I go home I'll ask my father to ask yours for your hand" Rina kissed him on the cheek and placed his hands back down by his side. "I know Justin, when we're married we'll be able to finally live our lives, no more hiding, no more lying, just me and you together" Justin smiled kissed her on the forehead and made his way for the door.
The sun seemed to be beaming a lot brighter down on him now then it was through his window. He knew Dexard would be asleep by now and didn't want to wake him simply to saddle a horse. Justin walked around the buildings towards where the stables were, he patted Thunder on the neck as he began to saddle him, he climbed on top of Thunder pulling on the reigns sending the horse into a slow and sure Trot. It was a longer ride then he had expected to get to the red keep. As he arrived through the gates he felt as though he had thousands of eyes staring down at him. Although he knew it was more likely hundreds. As he reached the tower of the hand he noticed his hands had began to shake. What if he stumbled over his words causing offence to Lord Stark? What if Lord Stark refused to send the men? Would his father fall out of favour with Lord Stark if he did or said something wrong? Justin shook the thoughts from his mind and began to approach the tower. "What business do you have here?" Justin approached the man who seemed very on edge. "I'm here to see the hand of the king, I am Ser Justin Maxward a knight of the seven kingdoms and the son of Trenton Maxward, sworn bannerman of Lord Stark" the man stared at Justin for a while unsure what to make of him, his hand was still firmly placed on his swords hilt. "Aye I know the Maxwards what are your words? You'd know them if you truly were a Maxward" Justin was unsure what to make of this man, why would he be so on edge, what could have possibly happened to cause him to be so aggressive. "Now our enemies rest" the man removed his hand from his hilt and began to approach Justin. "It's our enemies rest, not now our enemies rest" Justin had always thought now was a part of it but clearly he was wrong. "Forgive me, I spent so much time around southern fairies I forgot my own house words" the man began roaring with laughter almost falling over. "Aye that explains the knighthood, you aren't as soft as those southern lords are you?" Justin smiled placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Did you not see me during the melee? My head nearly got caved in and I'm still here, a blow like that'd kill a southerner before the man hit the ground" the man nodded and began to take Justin up the steps. As fit as Justin was the stairs were steep and many a time Justin was sure he'd fall down, his breathing had become more and more laboured as they climbed higher and higher before finally reaching the top. "Wait here, I'll announce your arrival to Lord Stark" the man entered the room closing the door behind him. Before Justin had even had time to catch his breath the man was beckoning him into the room closing the door behind him. Lord Stark stood by the window with his back to Justin, before finally turning around to face him. Justin immediately went down to one knee. "My Lord, I'm Ser Justin Maxward I've come to bend the knee and pledge my loyalty to your house" Justin tried not to look the man directly in the eyes, he had learnt it was rude for a knight to do that to a Lord. "Arise Ser, I know your father, he served me well in Roberts rebellion, if I could I'd have had him in the vanguard for every battle" Justin rose to his feet nodding. "Thank you my Lord, I'm sure my father would be honoured to know you think so highly of him" Lord Eddard crossed the room towards his desk sitting down and resting his arms on the desk. "What is it I can do for you Ser? I rarely get visitors now that simply come here to say hello" Justin's throat began to dry and his hand had began to shake again. "My Lord our family have been loyal bannermen to your family for a thousand years, I simply ask for a favour to repay our loyalty" Justin looked at the man seeing if he could gauge what Lord Stark was thinking, but the man's steely expression gave nothing away. "And what favour is it you'd ask of me Ser Maxward? If it is in my power I will give it to you" Justin felt calmer now, knowing he had done nothing to offend his liege Lord. "My Lord, our lands have been subject to attacks by outlaws as of late, I know they are our lands to protect but our men only number to 800, the garrison for the fort itself needs around 600 at a time, these outlaws have already killed many of our people, all I ask is that you send some of your own men to reinforce ours and to help train the men we recruit. My uncle tells me half the men don't know the pommel from the pointy end" Lord Stark stood from his chair staring Justin straight in the eyes. "Ser Maxward, as a show of good faith and a reward for your family's continued loyalty, I will send fofty of our fighting men and a trainer from my household to reinforce you at Eaglesend" Justin breathed a sigh of relief in hearing that news. "Thank you my Lord, I promise they will be put to good use" Justin bowed once more and made his way towards the door, he had hoped the news would cheer his uncle up somewhat.
Whether it be through sheer joy or the hast to inform his uncle of Lord Starks support the ride back to the inn seemed a lot quicker then his ride to the red keep. He had thought of the men Lord Stark would send, true warriors of the north, the trainer who would turn the peasants into soldiers for his house. He had never seen a battle before save for when he accompanied Ser Douglas and a few of his uncles men to root out some bandits living in a near by cave. As he had arrived he saw his uncle and Dexard preparing the horses. "Uncle I have some good news, Lord Stark has promised us fifty men and a trainer from his household to reinforce Eaglesend" his uncle turned to Justin as he dismounted his horse smiling and patting Justin on the back. "Good work Lad, I'll send a raven ahead to your father, we ride out today" Justin now knew why his uncle had saddled the horses, he thought maybe his uncle was simply going for a ride around the city, but clearly he was wrong. "But uncle we've barely just arrived in the city, surely you'd want to stay a while longer?" "No lad, it's time for us to go home, you know it's the right thing to do, now you're a knight you can assume your duties leading our men against the bandits, you proved yourself in the tourney, well you proved yourself to me at least" his uncles smile seemed to fade from his face now, replaced with a grimace Justin had rarely seen from the man in his youth. "Uncle will you give me some time to say goodbye to Rina at least?" Dexard looked over to Justin and simply bowed his head as their gazes met. "She's left the city Justin, she told me to give you this letter and to tell you that your paths will cross soon" that news felt like a dagger had pierced Justin's heart, she had left him alone, without a personal goodbye, simply leaving a letter and a message from his uncle. Why would she do that? Why did she not wait a few more hours for Justin's return? "I understand, should we be off then uncle?" His uncle nodded and mounted his horse, bringing it to a trot. As they had left the gates the small company of men who had accompanied his uncle to the city was waiting for them. What waited ahead for Justin now? A simple life rooting out bandits and bringing other criminals to justice? That's not what he wanted, he didn't want to simply be a tool for his father to use. He knew it was his place to obey his Lord father and later do the same for his brother, but he wanted to be a true knight, fighting for his king, serving as more then a glorified soldier to his father. He tried to forget about it as they traveled down the kings road but his disappointment was clear for anyone to see.