Festival of Roses

After the hunt, Marten had come back to see to the dogs himself. Once they were safely away, he went to see a friend.

"There, there." Marten said, patting Argent's neck. The big charger nickered affectionately at him. "Soon, my friend. Soon." He said. Once the rest of the tasks were done, a ride seemed like a fine idea for both of them.

Two stalls down Leovall was feeding Cole by hand. The problem was that the big horse ate a lot. "More oats?" The young heir asks rhetorically, grabbing another handful and offering it to the ever hungry destrier. "You had better not get any bigger now." The animal was already incredibly tall. "Sorry for the late snack. We were out hunting." He says softly, petting Cole's nose as the horse ate. No doubt the servants had already fed the animals breakfast, but Cole ate more than most so Leovall liked to give him a little something extra in the mornings.

Gradually, Marten became aware of another fellow, not so far away, giving his horse some extra attention. For a moment, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny before his attention turned back to Argent. Or most of it, at least.

Well well. He was pretty sure he'd seen him at the feast. Further, he was pretty sure that this was the young man Mari had mentioned.

Still petting Ardent, Marten smiled just a little. He'd have to see how the man behaved.

"Eat up and I'll take you out for a ride soon Cole." Leovall continues to stroke, feed and talk to his horse from the other side of the stall door. The horse had its head over the wood, ducking down to eat whenever its master had new oats. The bucket full of them by Leovall's foot was proving helpful!

Marten narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Kindness to his horse was a sign of a good spirit, or so he felt.

But, on the other hand, it wasn't everything. More would have to be seen. For instance, if the lad was clever enough to notice him. And to have deduced his identity. And so, Marten waited, even as he continued to pet and murmur to Argent.

When Cole was sufficiently fed and energised Leovall would prep him for riding. On went the straps, bit and saddle. A short while after he led the horse out, noting Marten nearby now that his attention wasn't focused on Cole, nor was he stuck in the stall.

"Good morning." He stops to say, dipping his head and looking cheerful. "Leovall Marten." Noticing Marten's horse he smiles. "A fine animal you have. How do you do Ser?"

Marten wasn't quite as ready to go, but he'd just started similar preparations when Leovall led his steed by. Marten turned, giving the young man a reserved smile.

"I am well, thank you." He said in his deep voice, a little reserved. "Marten Tremaine. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He couldn't help but smile at the compliment to his horse, though. "Thank you." He said, patting Argent's neck. "This is Argent." He nodded to Leovall. "You have a fine animal yourself, there."

"Haha! Fine or big? Even compared to other horses this one has an appetite Lord... Lord Tremaine." Calling him Lord Marten would feel weird Leovall decided. Dipping his head again he then ruffles Cole's main. "I believe I've met your daughter, Lady Mariessa. She was very well spoken. Fine company." Leovall compliments carefully, quite aware of how wary his own father could become when someone too directly, or narrowly, compliment Loraine.

Marten chuckled. "Both. Ardent is no foal himself." He said, fondly patting the horse once more.

"Oh?" Marten said, his eyebrows going up, although his expression otherwise remained still. "Good, that's good. I'll tell her you said so."

He nodded, looking back to his horse. The saddle had been mounted, and he was tightening the straps. "As it happens, she mentioned meeting you, too." He said casually.

Chuckling he smiled once more. "I see." I hope she had nice things to say. "Will you be competing when the tournament truly begins Ser?"