abraxaslogs | [Open] Light Atop the Tower

[With his mood as it's been since the Heralds, Mat's taken to spending a good deal of time in the wooded grounds outside the castle proper. While at this point he's explored every inch of the land allowed to the Summoned, he still finds comfort in roaming the trails and slipping through the woods after game.

He's technically hunting, his bow and quiver are slung over his shoulder and the fur edged coat he's wearing is well made but dark green and plain. His heart isn't in it, though, and he's yet to raise the bow once today. It's just an excuse to wander around out here.

He hears the hoofbeats before he sees anything, and out of habit moves off the trail and to the side to let the rider pass. But he takes an interest when he sees it's another Summoned, and even manages to grin in greeting as she approaches.]

Well enough, lady.

[It's a fair sight to see a hunter. The last that she had been in the woods like this was during the King's hunt, celebrating her son's second nameday. It was a sweet reminder of home, those that relied on sword or bow rather than magic. She is still learning, but it leaves her discombobulated. The woods and the fresh air were a relief, allowing her to clear her head.

The horse knickered, coming to a halt. She gave the creature a small stroke, reassuring him as she regarded the man before her. There's a measure of nobility, certainly honor and respect. It's comforting and allows her to lower her guard.]

How is the sport today?

I'd wager good, seen plenty of tracks, but I'm more enjoying the woods than on the hunt.

[Mat shrugs. No sense in denying what he's doing out here. It isn't as though he needs to hunt, he doesn't have to worry about feeding himself or anyone else here. It's purely for pleasure, and to win favor with the castle kitchens when he brings them something fresh.

But even in the castle, he sometimes feels trapped and walled in. And while the woods and hunting grounds are also walled, it's different. You can go for a good while before seeing any sign of containment.]

Nice to be out in the trees. Least before winter settles in properly - I came here last winter, it was damned cold. Much worse'n this.

How are the creatures of this world? Are they similar to stags and easy to startle?

[He might not be hunting per say, but if he came across something, her horse might spook it away. She hadn't seen rabbit or hart, though she never expected to. The sound of horses could send any creature dashing. Unless hunting was not so common here? No, that didn't seem to be the case, given the food offered by the kitchens.

She could at least understand his sentiment, even if she was not so fond of the outdoors, at least until now.]

Last winter? How long do winters last here? [Pray gods that it was not as long as Westeros. It was better than imagining him for half a generation.] I am a bit used to the cold, but nothing close to winter.

They are exceptionally similar to stags! They are stags - and other deer. Rabbits, too, and quail. And some birds and small critters that I've never seen before and haven't the names for.

[Mat sets one point of his bow on the ground and leans against it. He remembers being newly come to this world, and all his own questions. He's happy to answer some for another poor sot who's been dragged here by forces beyond comprehension.]

And winters last a handful of months, I'd say. It was well into the season when I arrived, and started warming within a couple of months. We'll be headed back into it in another one or two, I'd say. Not too far off of what I'm used to, though our winters last a bit longer and our summers aren't as warm, not in the mountains.

[But it isn't jarring, the seasons pass as he's used to them passing, and all in the proper order. This world isn't that different from his own, in many ways. It helps.]

I'm Mat, by the way. Mat Cauthon. Fellow Summoned and apprentice mage of sorts.

That will be a strange experience. [Winters lasted longer in Westeros. Seeing one that was only for a few months, it would be a bit surreal, further adding to how strange all of this was. As though it were a dream of some kind.] Will it at least snow?

[She should like to truly see it. A ride through the woods as it snowed? It sounded like a sweet experience, something to pepper among so much confusion, as she struggled to find a purpose in this place.]

I wish I were more of a hunter, I would find a great deal of comfort in the woods.

[She understands why he wandered through the woods, half heartedly searching for game. There's freedom beyond the walls, a place apparently away from watchful eyes. The mages weren't very controlling, but it was difficult to feel at ease inside the keep.]

I am Alicent Hightower. [Her face brightened.] You are an apprentice to the mages? How have you found their magic? Is it simple to understand?

It should, it did last year. Make sure you ask for a warm cloak or something. They'll give you all sorts of clothes if you just ask for them. Other things, too, long as it's not very big or actual money.

[A point Mat always likes to make - their hosts are generous and apparently benevolent, but take great pains to keep Summoned dependent on them. It's important, he thinks, to keep that in mind. There's no need to explain his reasoning, folks will either come to the same conclusion or they won't.

But he's not stupid enough to say anything that might paint a negative picture of Thorne, not in the land itself.]

If you'd like to take up hunting, I'd be happy to teach you. I'm actually quite good at it! And I study a different sort of magic than the mages here do, I have two teachers but they're other Summoned. Academic Magic's easy, though, I know a handful of spells. The castle mages just about fall over themselves if we take an interest. I know a spell to make light, a spell to put out fires, a spell to light fires...

[And of course his own, unique magics. But those aren't ones he talks about often. He isn't prone to talking about much of his magic at all, but...well, a pretty lady is showing interest. That can make Mat lean into almost anything.]

That would be good. This- [She gestured to the tunic and pants with a bit of a grimace.] -are not exactly what I'm used to. Having something similar to home would be comforting. It seems they are going out of their way to make us feel at ease, buying our affections.

[She's not naïve to think that these gestures were for any reason that to sway their opinion and devotion. Thorne was no different than other courts. There was always a motive.

It's not a negative picture so much as a realistic one. It was simply the life she knew.]

Would you? I would like to learn. [Without an expected duty or obligation, she was feeling a bit aimless. Having something to learn and something to enjoy, it might ease that anxiety, if only a little.

She slipped from the saddle, hopping to the ground.]

I was thinking of the Academic Magic. I read a little on it.

[She's a bit shy next to him, but his easy manner and good looks would be enough to make any girl eager to know him better. Her smiles were more easy rather than perfunctory.]

Felt like something to sleep in, to me. But they'll give you more clothes, you just have to ask. I've been given all sort of things, just asking.

[It is nice, he has to admit. The sort of thing Mat's dreamed of his whole life. Yes, the price is more or less being a pampered prisoner, but...if he doesn't have any choice, he'd rather be kept comfortably.]

And they don't care if you take on work in town. I don't have a job, exactly, I'm not quite suited to a proper job, but I sing and entertain in taverns. Make some coin and you can buy whatever's to your tastes.

[While Thorne doesn't provide money, they don't take it away, either. And there are plenty in the castle town that are eager to hire Summoned. He never has a problem finding a hearth to perform at. Plenty of custom are generous when the hat goes round, too.

At Alicent's agreement, Mat's grin widens.]

I can help with both the hunting and the magic, Lady Alicent! The lessons for the apprentice mages, you can join in on them. The classes for beginners are very simple to follow. I bet you'll be casting spells of your own in a week's time.

It certainly leaves one feeling a bit naked. [The words are out and she blanches at her free use of the word. Hardly proper with someone she was only just introduced to.] I would rather not ask, if I am able to manage on my own. I have my own tastes and they might not match it.

[Really, she simply doesn't want to be beholden to them. As with home, she was selective in her allies, still uncertain whom to trust and how to go about winning others to her side, save through niceties.]

You are a bard? [She made note to come and see. Music, she should like beautiful music.] I would not know what to do to earn coin. I have few skills that would translate.

[She notes his pleasure and smiles genuinely in return.]

Would you be so kind? I am very much in need of guidance in both. You have more faith in my skills than I. I may have more luck with hunting.

I've always been pleased with what they've given me.

[Mat shrugs. He doesn't see anything wrong with taking things like clothes and books and things like that. May as well get what he can, while he can. He feels no debt owed to Thorne - if anything, they owe him all of it anyhow. For abducting him and keeping him holed up like they are.]

And we call'em Gleemen. Though I'm not a proper one, I was in training but it was...interrupted. I know enough to keep them in good spirits in the taverns, though. Bit of music, bit of juggling, bit of clever hand tricks, storytelling....

[A general mixed bag of entertainment. It does well enough here, and songs from his own homeland are still a novelty around Thorne. That helps.]

And I would, my lady! Light knows I get bored easy and there's only so much to do around here. It'd be a welcome distraction for me.

[She says nothing to that. It's a sentiment she often carries, as she has been given all that she has. There is contentment in it, save for when you are pulled on your own in a strange world.]

I should like to hear your stories and perhaps, if you allow it, a song or two. [She was shy in this offer:] In my Horizon, I have been trying to fill the rooms of my Hightower. I thought to add a music room, for those that are inclined? I have no talent of my own, but I love to listen.

[Over time, she would find the means to pay him, if he allowed.]

It would be my pleasure to be such a distraction. Perhaps we could begin now?

Come on down to town any evening and you can see the whole show! I am quite the talent.

[Mat can never resist an opportunity to make himself sound good. And he is talented. He has a good voice, and quick clever hands, and he's young and handsome. Being young and handsome always helps an entertainer.

Particularly when it comes to lovely young ladies who like music.]

And why not? I'm not doing anything else right now and we're in the woods. You ever handled a long bow before? Just so I know where we're starting from.

You would not be a proper bard if you did not believe yourself to be so.

[After all, the trade depended on self promotion, so she isn't put off by his declaration. It certainly was refreshing. His speaking voice was soothing and comfortable, his stories at least would be gripping in that way.]

A long bow? No. I understand you need a certain amount of strength for that?

Strength can help, but anyone can use one. Here, there's a clearing just this way, that'll do us.

[At least the sort of bows they use here shouldn't be a problem. They aren't the full body length sort - those would likely be a challenge. Mat can't see any reason why Alicent couldn't manage. It's not as though she looks sickly or anything.]

Most of what you'd need the strength for is drawing it. But I've got a little trick for you to start with! Now the classic way is to hold the bow in one hand, string and arrow in the other. But you can sit on a stump or a rock and use your foot instead. This is just for learning, of course, and building up strength to draw it proper.

[It's the way he'd learned as a child, when he'd been barely bigger than a bow anyhow.]

[He's surprised her by that, making her a little nervous that she'd embarrass herself in an effort to draw the bow, showing how little strength she possessed.]

Many hunters would laugh at my feeble attempts.

[Which, of course, reveals how much she's worried about looking foolish.

Glancing nearby, there was a stump that she could sit on. There was no cloak or cloth to cover it, so she would have to accept that she'd get muddy attempting this.]

Will you help me?

[Open] Light Atop the Tower

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