Renly asks your name, too

Despite the obvious signs of your low birth, Renly turns his gaze towards you and asks "And just who might YOU be?"

You are taken aback at being called out by this self-proclaimed king. Still, you remain calm and announce "My name is Brynden, if it please you, Your Grace."

Renly nods in approval at the manner of your introduction. "Are you part of Lady Catelyn's honor guard, as well?"

"Alas, I am not, Your Grace," you tell him, "I am not among Lady Catelyn's vassals. I simply happened to come to this place whilst traveling in her company."

"So I see," Renly remarked, eying you in interest, "Who are you for, then? Are you for Robb or for myself?"

You choose your words carefully: "I am for whichever man proves himself just and worthy to be the king."

Renly seems impressed. "That is a very good answer. Your sentiment is one I share. Fealty is something that must be earned, not given out freely. All these people who surround you... they have deemed me the most suitable man to rule them. They trust in me. They have faith in me. What would convince you to do the same?"

You are a little perplexed by that question. "I do not mean to sound impertinent, Your Grace, but why would you care so much for MY fealty? I am just one mere commoner."

"A single person's choices and actions can make all the difference in a war," Renly debates, "Tell me; where were you before you came here?"

"I was in the Riverlands, Your Grace," you answer him, "After spending a few days in the Kingswood, I came here from the east. Although it is not my place to say, you may elect to head back the way I came."

Renly is intrigued by that. "How do you mean?"

Recalling what you heard at that inn, you tell the black-haired man "I have heard that your brother, Lord Stannis, means to lay siege to Storm's End."

A wave of silence passes over the area. It lasts a full minute, and it ends when Renly asks "What?" He sounds uneasy.

"That's the word going around the Riverlands, Your Grace," you tell him. Apparently, Renly had no idea what his elder brother was up to. This may have been a chance for you to curry favor with him. You then look to the woman beside you, and you tell her "On that note, Lady Catelyn, you may wish to send a raven to King Robb or your other sons in Winterfell. I just remembered also hearing that the Ironborn may attempt to invade the North, as well."

Predictably, Lady Catelyn and her vassals are stunned. Some of Renly's soldiers are equally taken aback.

All of a sudden, Queen Margaery chuckles and tells her royal husband "Isn't THIS interesting, my love? This young man seems to be better informed than us or anyone in our company."

"Or maybe not," Loras counters his sister, eying you warily, "For all we know, he could be a spy from Stannis or Joffrey, sent to mislead or misinform us."

"You have every right to assume the worst of me, good ser," you mutter calmly, gazing around at the gathered masses, "Most of you did not know me before today. You have no reason to trust or believe in anything I say. I myself am not too confident in the accuracy of what I've told you; it amounts to little more than gossip and rumors."

"Nevertheless," Lady Catelyn mutters, "If the Ironborn were to attack us, now would be the ideal time to do so. The North is only sparsely defended."

"And I would not put it past Stannis to make an attempt on Storm's End," Renly mutters, "He has always longed for it, ever since the day Robert named me its master."

"What are we going to do, Your Grace?" Brienne asks. She and every other person there who has sided with Renly look to their king for guidance.

He sits thinking for a few minutes, and then he announces "We have lingered in the Reach long enough. It is past time we stirred. Even if the information supplied by young Brynden here turns out to be false, we would still be in a position of strategic advantage over Stannis and Joffrey. So, all of you, get your rest tonight. For tomorrow, we march!"

This is met with a chorus of cheers all around the dueling ring. Soon, the crowd begins to disperse, and everyone goes their separate ways.

As the area clears up, Renly Baratheon looks to Catelyn Stark and tells her "I appreciate your coming all this way to treat with me, my lady. I assure you that you did not come this far for naught. I am more than willing to discuss the possibility of alliance on the march, if you would accompany us."

"Very well, Your Grace," Catelyn concedes.

"As for you..." Renly mutters, turning towards you, "Who are you, really?"

"Just what I claimed to be, Your Grace," you inform him, "A simple traveler who looks for and takes work wherever he can find it."

"There's plenty of it here, if you are interested," Renly offers.

You grin and say "I am very much interested, Your Grace."

Renly seems pleased. He turns to the tall female knight beside his throne and tells her "Brienne...