Recruiting the first 3 of #the30 sworn swords....
Nova was his first companion. Son of the merchant, Kingsley Draak who helped Jasir find a new home. Nova was only a year younger than Jasir but was a big and stocky boy often mistaken for being years beyond his age for his size. Nova was loud with a crude humor and yet people adored him; often finding him humorous. The boys met as teenagers during one of Jasir's conquests for his foster Lord White. When Lord Arryn assigned Jasir to take down the slavers holding the keep soon to be taken as Kujichagulia. Jasir had just seen Nova and thought him a perfect fit to help take the keep. Nova was not an especially skilled fighter but his size alone could help him take down the common rabble. Jasir had become especially skilled and taking down multiple men on his own, but decided having Nova as back up would be beneficial to both of them. Nova being a merchant in his own right, but still traveling a bit. Jasir convinced Nova that owning a whole keep would be extremely profitable for the 2 of them. The 2 took the keep with with no issue thanks to Jasir;s careful planning.
While traveling to Kings Landing to inform the Hand of their success. The 2 came upon another traveling merchant with her bodyguard. Nova was familiar with the merchant so he called out to her. "Meek kada!" He belched. "My friend! My everlasting paramour how the Seven have blessed me with such divine luck that I should have the strength to wipe my enemies from this world and then see you!" Makeda looked surprised at first but as Nova kept talking her expression changed from surprise to one of content. She smiled at Nova graciously and with the sweetest voice replied, "Nova! It is great to see again my love. What was that you were saying about wiping enemies?"
"Yes!" Nova yelps as if he suddenly remembers a great tale as he prepares to recount the events to Makeda and her companion. "On a quest to protect the realm from tyranny, injustice and chaos. My companion and I rode valiantly to reclaim this great fortress!" Noticing she had not truly seen Nova's companion. As she repositioned herself for introduction. Their eyes met. Jasir could tell she was young but nothing of her demeanor gave clue she was of the age of girlhood. She had beautiful black curls unlike he had seen before. She smiled and he knew her, a Targareyn supporter just like himself. How did he know this? How? He knew her voice and her smile but not how he knew her. He chose not to mention this. "Makeda, it's a pleasure to meet you." He said grandly as to play along, her reply was equally grand "As it is to meet you.." she streatched the you out in the form of a question." Nova cut in, "this is Jasir Upendo a cunning swordsman and a talented tactician. The 2 of us took down 70 men together this morn." All 6 eyes darted at Nova again as his embellishment fell on defying ears. He noticed and and smiled, and said, "okay, 30." Makeda's bodyguard interjected, "30 Nova? The 2 of you?" "Jasir replied, "Great planning and a bit of luck go a long way." Senelle looked over them unbelievingly, "Jasir, may I introduce you to my friend and bodyguard Senelle Majaji," Makeda gestured with her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you Senelle." "Likewise," she answered.
Nova cut in again, "We're headed to Kings Landing, might you be headed there as well?" Nova asked. Makeda, "We indeed are, how about we all travel together then." "My thoughts exactly." So the four of them began to travel south to Kings Landing.
Upon being bestowed the keep they just reclaimed. Jasir exclaimed his happiness to serve King Robert Baratheon. King Robert was pleased and so Jasir once again came under his good graces. Jasir knew well enough how to play the game and he often thought much of himself for being able to play it. He asked to see the Hand once more before he left but was left waiting and was told the Hand would not be able to see him, Jasir took this as a humbling lesson learned as he must know that he is only a small part of the real Game.
Sometime later as He and Nova arrived to his new keep. He arrived to find that the bodies of the slain still lay around the castle grounds. Many of the servants were no longer there. Likely because of the treatment they received under the castles former occupants. He sought out the Maester and as he entered the hall. The master came in hastily to introduce himself. "My Lord, I am Maester Brodual, I have served here for the past 2 years." "Is that so?" Jasir cut in with flash of passion and righteousness. The master reset himself as to position himself to withstand a barrage of threats. "Yes, my lord, I served the castles 3 occupants prior to the slavers moving in." "Did you have any part in the slavery that took place here?" With a breath of a man knowing his end drew near he answered, "Only my maesters duties My Lord. No more and no less." Jasir took steps closer to him. "If you betray me I will not hesitate to behead you." “That is your right my Lord,” the maester answered almost shaking.
The Maester informed his new Lord that he would need various positions filled in order to maintain his house. He would need a Captain of his guard, a Master of Coin, and a Quartermaster. Jasir thought immediately to have his Master of Coin be Nova. He thought for a moment, "What of subterfuge master?" The maester seemed genuinely surprised, "I've not encountered a house with need of one of these as of yet. While it is true the King has a Master of Whisperers, it is not very commonplace to have a master of whispers. If you please I can make inquires as to finding yourself one to pledge their allegiance to your lordship." He found himself rambling, and abruptly stated, "If that should please you me Lord." Jasir looked over at Nova, to see his reaction to the maester's display. Nova looked quisitively at the maester and Jasir knew that meant he was withholding judgment as of yet. Jasir knew thought that the wiser option as the maester's composure had been shattered to see if he would break and he had. Jasir drew his attention back to the maester, "That will not be necessary Maester, Nova will collect the people for these positions. Is there anything else Maester? There is the matter of the house having close to no servants as well my Lord. Yes, I've noticed. I'd like to go over the people of my hold. If I'm going to lead here I need to know how to make sure my people know I mean to take care of them. For now though, you are dismissed." The maseter shuffles off, and Jasir turns to Nova. "I'd like Makeda Tamar and Senelle Majajji to pledge their allegiance to my house. How can we get them to pledge to us? ...
