Nicolas

Yep, it's good to be a tournament champion, Nicolas thought as he lay stretched out on the barmaid's straw stuffed bed.  She breathed softly and peacefully next to him, but he was wide awake. It gave him time to think.

The young hedge knight was a mysterious and awkward fellow. Darcy Mormont took great interest in him and monopolized his time for much of the evening, though Isen looked as though he'd like to run and hide the whole time. That was just as well. He didn't need a new player moving in on the good thing he had going with  the Cockshaws.

The Inn at the Crossroads was packed that night and they had been the kings of the tavern. There was much local talk and talk of the tournament and King's Landing. Turns out this town they will be going through to get to the Bartheld lands is a bastion of free thinking people who don't take kindly to bending the knee to nobles. Nicolas liked that. Maybe I'll move to the Riverlands....

Market Town is run by one Esra Stone. He's known as the "Wily Mayor."  Of course he's wily! His family  were obviously bastard borns from the Vale of Arryn. Through his determination and cleverness, Stone has kept Market Town free from noble control. Nicolas wondered exactly what he has done to accomplish this. He suspects it hasn't all been above the board. Market Town is also known for swift justice. He and and his young lord will have to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble. The Captain of the town guard, this Yorik Ralk, sounds like a real law and order sort.

But maybe, someday, settling around these parts may not be such a bad idea. Sounded as though there are several places left abandoned by the Targaryen sympathizers after their defeat in Robert's Rebellion. This Rugar's Hold in Durain forest, sounds like a likely place for a young newly landed knight to stake his claim. All you would need to do is run some bandits out of the area.

If I ever become a knight....

Riverthorn is also a likely area to settle down in. Good farming land and easy access to water and roads, even a small little hamlet. If you could win the locals over, you may have a good place to call home. The locals would warm more quickly to a bastard than a nobleman from the sounds of it.

Sounds like some of the local folk still hold to the Old Gods, something Nicolas never understood, being from the Reach. What can talking to a tree do for you? Still, I'd like to see this Godsgrove, though. And the old grovekeeper, this Peter Hastings, sounds like a real character.

Nicolas kept turning these things over in his mind until he drifted off to sleep.

He woke the next morning and Brenna was gone. Probably off to work. He remembered that Daemon and Isen were going to spar that morning. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, pulled on his trousers and went out to the dining hall.

He found Isen and Ser Daemon already outside getting ready to go at it. Who made this kid a knight? Nicolas shook his head, completely puzzled.

Isen steps up to Daemon and swings his flail right at Daemon's face. Daemon does not respond fast enough and the flail makes contact with the bone around Daemon's left eye. There is a sickening crunch. Nicolas was sure Daemon had took a mortal wound. Daemon went down on one knee, his other foot still firmly planted on the ground. He swings his mace into Isen's ankle, knocking him off balance and onto his side, but not injuring him terribly.

Daemon ceded the fight to Isen. Nicolas was speechless, as Ser Daemon is one of the best fighters he has ever seen. Masha Heddle came forward with some salve and ice for Daemon. Nicolas walked up to Daemon. "That will take some time to heal."

"Yeah, it will," said Daemon. It was hard for Nic to say if Daemon was upset by this or elated. He was always so hard to read. Nicolas turned back to Isen and to his dismay, Berowne was enthusiastically talking to him. He moved closer so he could listen.

Young Isen Snow seemed in awe of Berowne, a quality that made Nic wonder if the kid was a little simple. Darcy Mormont was also slapping Isen on the back and handing him an ale. She shook her fist in the air and cried "Bear Islander, here! Ha, Ha!"

"Young knight! You have bested one of my best men! Who do you currently serve?" Berowne asked.
"Um, no one mi'lord," he mumbled.
"Well, we are on a mission for King Robert. Could I hire you for a time to assist us in our task?" Berowne inquired.
"Uh, sure," said Isen.

Shit, thought Nic.