Story time for a Saturday.......................... Drinking Games With McKenzie luxuriating in her second hot bath in as many days, Sandor was at a loss. It surprised him that he had been allowed to roam freely at Winterfell, and suspected Cassel had vouched for him. Lord Stark had rewarded his sister and him handsomely for their escort of Arya, and then offered them both positions in his household. McKenzie and he had been set up in a small, but cozy cottage, and his sister had immediately set to making it a home for the two of them. Sandor was given a couple of days to rest from their journey and was now pacing Winterfell restlessly, searching for something he couldn’t name and that he couldn’t seem to find. Now he was ready to drink, but decided to have a word with Cassel first. He finally found the man in the stable with the horses, leaning on a stall alone in the dim light. “Last night you dined with your lord, and tonight you are banished to the stable,” Clegane observed wryly. “I spent part of yesterday and most of today visiting the families of the men I lost. Now I can’t bear one more person telling me how happy they are to see me back. I knew I’d be left alone here, or thought I’d be left alone.” “I’ll leave you then.” Sandor started to turn away, then paused. “I’m heading out the gate to spend some of your lord’s silver on drink at the tavern, seems you could use a drink or five as well.” Jory looked up at him and nodded, “That will do for a start.” --------------------------------------------------------------------- At the tavern, out of habit they took a table at the back, where they could watch the door. It was also darker back there. The few who strayed their way left after glimpsing Sandor’s scarred face and accompanying scowl. As they entered, Jory had slapped his silver down at the bar and told the tender to keep the wine flowing for them. At first the two men matched one another drink for drink in near silence, but gradually the strong red loosened their tongues. War stories were shared and laughter from various follies. “See you’re supposed to drink every time someone comes through the door Clegane, you’re doing it wrong.” “Aye, a drink, not the whole tankard at once, you’re not a fish, you’ll drown,” Sandor didn’t know whether to be amused or annoyed at the man. “At least I’m not the one daintily sipping my red, like a wee girl Clegane. Ah, but we have run dry my friend!” Jory noted, spilling the last drops of wine into Sandor’s tankard. “I shall fetch more.” He stood and wove his way across the room to the bar, and bumped into a man standing there drinking. “My friend I am sorry,” Jory clapped him on the shoulder. “Let me buy you a drink!” The man turned bright blue eyes upon him and smiled, “A man drinks alone.” “Come drink with us then, we have plenty of room at our table, and enough to share.” Jory motioned for a jug of wine from the barkeep and a drink for the man at the bar. The other man perused Jory through amused eyes. “A man needed to drink tonight, and laugh and play the jester to ease the pain- I see that now.” Jory looked at the man and realized he had never met him before; took in the pale strands in the auburn hair, the slight smile. “If you change your mind, we are at the far table against the wall, join us.” The mysterious smile remained on the other’s face, “Thank You, but a man drinks alone this night.” Jory grabbed the full jug of wine and returned to where Clegane waited. Odd fellow, I wonder where he’s from. Back at the table Sandor snorted with laughter as an animated Jory loudly told the tale of his long slide and fall from the roof of the smithy into the mire of the adjoining pig sty last year when he had tried to catch Brandon Stark on Winterfell’s rooftops. Three men entered the tavern and stopped short when they saw Jory laughing at something Sandor said. Clegane elbowed Jory, “Heads up Cassel, here comes trouble.” “I see them, I was at their mother’s home today, their brother was one of those who died in my charge.” Jory sounded almost sober as he spoke. The trio approached them and Sandor saw the anger on their faces. Jory stood up and offered his hand. “I am sorry about Ian; he was a good man, and one of my best guardsmen.” He looked them in the eyes as he spoke. The eldest looked at Jory’s extended hand as if it were a viper, and made no move to take it. Finally Jory dropped his hand. Sandor stood up. The older man sneered and spoke, “We came here tonight for a drink and to mourn our brother, and here you are Captain Cassel drinking your fine wine and laughing. How is it out of all of those men, only you survived?” Clegane spoke up, “That’s enough, leave the man be.” The brother swung and Jory made no move to defend himself or avoid the blow. The fist caught him on the left eye and sent him into their table and crashing to the floor. Then Sandor’s swing landed on the attacker’s chin and he went down in a boneless heap. The remaining two men charged Clegane, but Jory was on his feet again pulling one man away and dragging him towards the door then shoving him outside. “Ferlin, I’ll not fight with you or your kin tonight. We are leaving and you can drink in peace. I am sorry about your brother.” The man didn’t reply but stood there staring. He walked back inside and saw that Clegane had knocked the second man down near his fallen brother and now waited for him at the bar. Jory pulled out enough coin to pay for the damages and apologized to the barkeep for the mess. He bought another jug of red wine and walked out the door into the night. Sandor followed him outside, wondering what trouble they would find next. Jory didn’t go far, he found a low rock wall and sat down on it to take a long drink from the jug, then offered it to Clegane. Sandor took it and sat next to him, they shared the wine. “Don’t you know any songs Clegane?” Sandor frowned, “I’m not serenading you Cassel.” “No, no……..do you know any drinking songs?” Jory had another hearty pull of wine. “I don’t think you need any drinking songs, you’re doing just fine on your own. Share that a bit. Here!” Sandor drank deeply. “We never did have our fight.” “I’ve had my fight for the night, remember? Maybe tomorrow.” Jory had been in the middle of guzzling the dark wine and sputtered in sudden laughter, “Tis a deal! I remember that fight; I blocked his fist with my eye.” “Yes you did, and then you took out an entire table all by yourself Cassel!” Both men roared with laughter at that and Jory clapped Sandor hard across the back. “If you won’t sing, do you know how to dance then?” Jory downed the last of the wine. “Bloody Hell! If I won’t sing for you why would I dance with you?” “Nae, not with me, just to dance, all swords men can dance, my mother told me that once I think.” Jory dropped the empty wine jug and stood up. “Watch, you take two steps forward…….and then three steps back.” Jory had forgotten the low wall, it caught him behind the knees and he fell backwards over it. Sandor doubled over in laughter and Jory joined in from where he lay on the ground. Just as they caught their breath Jory asked in a puzzled voice, “When did this wall get here?” Clegane pulled Cassel back over the wall and decided it was time to return to the castle. Jory was in no shape to walk so Sandor slung him over his wide shoulder. It didn’t seem to dampen Jory’s mood to be carried so. “I remember a drinking song Clegane, it’s about a bear. A bear, a bear all lovely and fair.” Sandor chuckled, “That doesn’t sound right, but go ahead Jory.” “No, you’re right my friend…………..a maiden fair, all covered in hair. Sing it with me Sandor.” Sandor was laughing again, “That’s not right either. Stop making me laugh before I drop you.” How long had it been since he had laughed this much? Jory suddenly slapped Clegane’s leg. “Put me down!” Sandor tumbled him to the ground and Jory retched up most of a jug of wine. When he finally finished, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “No more upside down. I can walk from here.” Clegane helped him to his feet and Jory reeled sideways before Sandor stopped him. Somehow he kept him on his feet long enough to get him to his quarters and dump a fully clothed Jory onto his bed. A maiden fair all covered in hair. Sandor smiled.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:59:48 +0000
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