A long expected meeting

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Having awaited his siblings at Twinport for some time now that the proverbial hunt was over, Chris ensured there was room for all of them at the same inn he was staying. The number of people grew as the day of the tourney grew near, and he joined the group of those keeping an eye out for trouble and calming things down, along with most of those with him.

At the same time, it became easier for him to keep a look out for his siblings, thus the arrival of de Winters was easy to note. Taking his leave for the time being, he directed the pair to the inn, which he noted became slightly more crowded than it had been this morning, and quirked an eyebrow up at them, looking them both up and down as he did so. “You seem well. Jasen is stopping by at Marbow?” Expecting five and counting two, Chris came to logical conclusion that his brother picked up the evidence, their vassal, and turned North instead of East. Knowing him, they would make good time if met with no trouble, and he’ll be in no shape to participate anywhere in the upcoming tournament.

Pushing the worry about their older brother to the side, he focused on the siblings who were present, guiding them to their rooms while he waited for the answer. Jasen would be around soon enough, the journey was fairly easy and riding took less time than any other mode of transport. 


Lord Sebastian de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter

[Lady Katalin de Winter]

The travel hadn't been easy on Katalin, still feeling particularly weak and frail after the imbibed poison. The King had insisted she travel by carriage, a command she gratefully obeyed, aware that she tired easily and was not quite well despite her efforts to continue purging herself of the poison's effects. Worried about Jasen in turn, it had taken significant effort on Sebastian's part to distract her enough to rest quietly, to stay calm and focused. And now there was to be a tournament in which two of her brothers were likely to participate, yet she was not to worry? Foolishness. As the only sister among three brothers, that was the mainstay of her place in the family.

Stepping down gingerly outside of the inn, Katalin looked up at it with thinly veiled relief. The carriage was an easier method of travel, yet it still took its toll on her, leaving her sore, tired and wanting little more than a hot bath, some tea and a chance for quiet. "He is, yes. To remove the Earl and inform his lady that a regent will be appointed over the little boy, then he'll rejoin us. He still intends to try for the tournament." Blue eyes met their brother's dark eyes, letting him see her worry with that idea. Jasen was going to get himself killed at the rate he was going.

Gladly following him inside, Katalin was glad to be reunited with Christopher, asking softly, "Were you able to accomplish here what you were sent to do?"


Sir Christopher de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

Katalin was, perhaps, worried overmuch, but it was their only sister’s habit, just like that of Christopher’s to pick apart all the faults he saw and imagined in a plan once it was accomplished. It was also in their nature to worry of each other, and in that he was in agreement with her, for Jasen was nowhere near ready for tournaments. “It’s something he could not entrust to anyone else,” he responded thoughtfully, though he was as worried as Katalin about their brother, just better at hiding it. “I’m sorry I missed his departure, but we will convince him to skip this,” he continued, as he guided his siblings to their rooms. Once away from the crowd, he visibly relaxed, a look of mischief familiar to them lightning his eyes. “You know well that he never goes against all of us.”

Showing their sister to one of the seats and Sebastian to the other, he tilted his head to the side, resisting pacing. He was not nervous over Jasen’s absence, but it made him uneasy, particularly with the unexpected situation in Oakdale and the festival none of them were expecting. The gift they received at the summer festival turned deadly, and provided a distraction when he had not needed one – but he could answer to his sister’s quiet question with affirmation.

“Yes, we did. It is now but a waiting game for the rest of the Court to arrive.” A grim look crossed his features fleetingly before he allowed himself to relax. It was going to be all right, or such was his hope. It may be a while before he would tell for certain.


Lord Sebastian de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

While the two of them caught up on this and that, Sebastian alighted from the carriage with an audible stretch. The kinks needed to be worked out of his legs, the back needed to straightened and the arms needed their brief flight. "Mmph," he let out a breath, his hand running over his eyes and then the rest of his face. Being on the road for that long could be a trial for Sebastian, but it would be worth it in the end. It had been quite sometime since he were last in Twinport. That and the tournaments would prove to be quite the spectacle. No doubt the Lady de Vere would be attendance... but what did she think of the events?

Allowing Christopher to lead the way, he picked up their conversation and pondered over it. "Perhaps Dominic can ride for the de Winters this time around? Or perhaps you, Christopher? I'm not entirely convinced of the merit of the joust, but the rest of the kingdom seems to place a high value on it. Showing that the de Winters still stand strong could be good for us in the long run." He preferred not sit just yet, watching Christopher pace.

"You did?" He exchanged a look with Katalin.

Lady Katalin de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter