Ser Darys Blackstone

Ser Darys Blackstone is a sworn sword to House Sterling and a lesser child of House Blackstone. He is the oldest son of Kenneth Blackstone, younger brother of Donald Blackstone, the Lord of the house.

Darys was sent to live with the Sterlings from a young age, having spent his life growing up with Gordon, and because he is 5 years his junior he was often his mentor. When he reached the age he became squire to Blaise Sterling. He has served with him and the house through many conflicts and skirmishes, rising to a position in charge of the garrison force.

He is a PC played by User:Jason

Path to Glory

We were having breakfast when he arrived, a young boy who I have seen around but didnt know well. He had a message for Armand, something a raven had brought. There was a notice about an upcoming event, a tournament, to be held at Kings Landing. This would be an excellent opportunity to bring glory to our house, for us to gain the favor we deserve. On a personal note, I might have an opportunity to meet Hosteen Frey on the fields of Kings Landing and best him, and this is something I crave.

Before we could leave there was important business I needed to resolve. I needed a proper squire if I was to compete, and so I went to visit Blaise and ask which boys he recommended for the task. Lord Wilhelm also needed a page, so I proceeded to find a suitable young man for his job as well. I chose Edwyn Hardy and Justin Thorne. Good boys. I put them to work immediately, brushing horses, sharpening swords and otherwise learning the skills that would someday make them knights.

The next morning we were on our way. Taking the Kings Road is generally an easy trip, and this proved to be so for most of our first two days. On the evening of the second day I spotted a murder of crows circling above a section of woods just off the road. I signaled the group to stop, grabbed by shield and moved forward to investigate. It was a gory scene, 5 dead bodies and a pack of wolves greedily feasting on them. They did not look like they had been the killers, so I returned to the others and shared my findings. Quickly we moved up, and while I watched the road for an ambush the Sterlings examined the scene more closely. Wilhelm chased the wolves away with a few pulls of his bowstring, yet he was also bitten, but not seriously.

Eventually they asked me for my opinion, and so I came forward and examined the scene. The men had been killed in their sleep, offering little or no resistance. One of them was carrying a sword bearing the Baratheon mark. If these were Baratheon bannermen we could not leave them as this, so I volunteered to stay behind with the boys and tend to the scene while the others went forward and secured lodging.

Riddle At Dags

Soon after dark the boys and I joined the others at Dag's Inn. We were tired from the hard work, so I felt a bit irritable. The patrons and staff seemed cold, at best, and I wondered what sort of rabble rousing Balen had perpetrated. But, alas, it was not the case. It seemed that instead we had been accused of foul mistreatment of the local smallfolk. This rumor was more than I could stomach. I decided immediately to speak with who I could to see what could be learned.

Given that Armand had likely spoken to the barmaid and other interior staff, I decided my best course of action was to question the stable boy. I knew everyone else was treating us coolly, so I determined that a surprise threat would engender the best response. I approached the boy and asked some simple questions, and when he was off guard thrust him against the wall and probed for more answers.

I immediately went inside and informed Balen of the nature of our alleged misdeeds. Instead of being horrified, instead he was pleased that they feared us. This was a puzzling turn of events, but I kept working. Next I informed the Maester and Wilhelm of what I had learned. Finally, I went downstairs.

When I arrived Wilhelm and Armand began speaking with others to ascertain more. I decided that I needed to again speak to the stable boy, but felt another ruse was in order. I warned Justin, then derided him and told him to go to the stable and check the horses, after letting him in on the plan. When he arrived inside he had learned a few more things, so finally I went out and spoke to the boy. I told him the previous attempts had been a ruse, and that we had been testing him. I then got him to tell all he knew, and finally I promised him a place in the Blackstone family stables if he ever finds himself up there.

Once inside I witnessed some strange machinations by Balen I could not hope to understand. Wilhelm must have been following his lead as well, and eventually the help was very perplexed and upset. At what I hoped was an opportune moment I moved in and utilized my courtly training (and a handful of copper) to get some small amount of information from her.

Never let it be said that a social intrigue is any less complex than a physical one. I must say I much prefer a pitched battle to a collection of posturing and falsehoods. Nevertheless, we had gained important information. I only pray Balen again displays his unique wisdom and utilizes said information to bring us glory.