The one inch of difference in height would feel like more, with Alester’s downcast eyes and slumped shoulders. “That would be rather incestuous, lest you revealed yourself before making your verdict.” The Banefort noted, perhaps a tinge of amusement to the sternness that predominated the statement, for such would reflect even worse upon the Banefort than a bastard would. More so if it was Rohanne he had in mind, though he suspected not. He’d made sure that lesson had been learned, at least. Not to go after happily married women.

“Still, it was a commendable performance all round, outlasting the three of us.” A hand rose to gesture to the ceiling, or perhaps the stars. “It seems fated almost, but right certainly.”

“Kneel.”

Cyrelle nodded. “The central market place.” The focal point of the community, at least of the town’s people. It made a lot of sense, especially for a coastal town. Though she did wonder whether the statue was built by the Lord himself or it came later, as tribute to all he’d done for the place.

The Westerwoman contemplated the question. “For something small; a snack rather than a whole meal.” She outlined once she had reached her decision.

To Lord Luceon Swann, Lord of Stonehelm,

My Lord,

Your proposal gives me great pleasure, and I gladly accept the match between your son, Ser Selwyn, and my daughter Ysabel. Having welcomed Selwyn into my household, I have come to regard him as a worthy knight, and I am pleased that his affection for Ysabel has grown into such firm resolve.

I can think of no finer prospect for my daughter than to become the lady of Stonehelm, nor any greater honour than to join our houses in friendship and mutual esteem.

May the Seven bless their union.

Lord Patrek Mallister of Seagard

Elenei hadn't expected the conversation to be turned to her so quickly and was somewhat reeling from Violet's admonition. She did not know how carefully she had to tread speaking of a visual world in front of Elena.

"I-I like to ride, and shoot. Soon I should like to try my hand properly at hunting and hawking, if spring should persist." Her golden eyes fell on Violet, searching for a sign she had answered well.

Jena shook her head quickly. "Have lots!" she exclaimed before rushing back to her sister, rifling through the pile of figurines, and returning with a small wooden mermaid, the tail clumsily painted and somewhat ruining the fine craftsmanship and detailing of the original figure. This one she did not offer, holding tightly in front of her. "Favourite!"

"Cirice's grandsire makes many and sends them here," Cirice explained. She had never much enjoyed playing as her sisters did, and had long since grown out of it. "We have too many."

She looked to Callum with a smile. "Have you ever been to Mistwood? Or...anywhere in the stormlands?"

Sam was beset with mocking laughter from both sides, flanked by his sister and by Alys, who made no effort to suppress her amusement. Elena, meanwhile, had cocked her head to the side in confusion.

Sam's final protest gave Alys pause though.

"Oh," she realized, wiping a mirthful tear from her eye. "It's a fliction." She screwed up her mouth. "My mama says we shouldn't tease people for their flictions."

"Affliction," Elena corrected.

"I said that."

"You said fliction. It's affliction. An affliction."

"Oh." She scrunched up her face further. "That's stupid."

"And she was talking about me," Elena continued. "Farting when you eat cheese isn't an affliction."

"Why not?"

Elena huffed. "He can just stop eating cheese!" she explicated, gesturing in the extremely vague vicinity of Sam's voice.

"Then I'm sure my decision is well-founded."

Qhorwyn gestured to Ysa, who had been listening discreetly but intently to the discussion. She stepped forward obligingly, and inclined her head with practiced reverence towards the Lord of Seagard.

"If we're in agreement," Qhorwyn continued, "...then I'm sure you'll wish to discuss the matter with Ser Brynden. I suppose he will want to see his intended for himself, soon enough. And if all is satisfactory...we could go right ahead and start making plans."

At first, Alleras stood silent, watching Baen dance through the different stances and forms. The hands with which Baen bore his sword would be the hands which would help guide Dorne, and it was reassuring to them that they were well honed at all times.

“Cousin!” he would eventually call out, lifting the bottle of fermented goat’s milk above his head. “Come, you have trained plenty for today. Share a drink with me. We have much to discuss.”

Alleras’s eyes would briefly glance around at the other faces present before returning to Baen.

“In private,” he would add.

Tears welled in her eyes, a flood threatening to spill from young Yunara’s eyes at the slightest tremor. Her moaning came to an abrupt stop whilst her pursed lips quivered at her mother’s sudden outburst.

The sight of his sweet pea in distress was a painful one, but Alleras had his wife to tend to as well.

He crossed the room to where Morgana stood, answering the call of her chagrin and gaze, where he would grasp her by her hips and pull her in close to him.

“We are not so complacent. Yunara has taken much of our time, but all is falling into place for our ambitions. I can promise that to you, my love,” he cooed in an attempt to soothe her temper.

Ser Axell Flowers,

Forgive my error. I hope I did not offend. We would be honoured to attended the feast and I look forward to the two of them meeting.

With Grace,

Lord Luceon Swann

That Hubert would see to her sister provided Bella with some relief, if only a small bit. Hubert was a man of his word, if nothing else, and she could trust him to do as he promised. What words she lacked for Minisa she hoped her goodfather could make up for.

Bella listened to him speak on his wife and was disappointed to glean that he did not think further on his wife's dislike of the Waynwood whore. For all that Hubert liked to praise himself for seeing use in women beyond birthing heirs, he seemed most unattuned to his wife's thoughts when unspoken. For a moment she thought he might have been steered to the correct conclusion upon mentioning his eldest son, but the same weak heart that forgave her found no fault in Osric's wife. She supposed she shouldn't chafe at such a quality, for it had certainly benefitted her of late.

"I have not known Lady Ursula long, but in my time at the Gates I have known her to be wise." She said. Lady Arryn, at the least, had deduced that Luthor was not the son of Osric, and treated the boy's mother accordingly, as much as she could. Why she had not yet spoken to her husband on the matter was beyond Bella. Alester had more than enough trueborn heirs that House Arryn would not be jeopardized by his inheriting. "As a woman myself, I am more than familiar with the types that seek to cause discord, though Lady Ursula is no such type. Perhaps there is more to her prejudice—she strikes me as shrewd, rather than petty." She said.

The irony in his question might have pleased her, had the bastard been disinherited alongside his purported father. As it were the Stone in the Eyrie was yet a great thorn in her side, so she could not find any mirth in it. If Bella had her way Hubert would never come to know the truth of him anyways. "Your son knows them all as well as I knew those who served me in Willow Wood." She said, for she could take the opportunity to speak highly of Alester, at the very least. "Better, even," that was surely not so, and it pained her to say, "for Alester was born an Arryn, whilst I was my late husband's second wife." Davos had never even known how many men and women were in their employ, whilst Bella had ruled Willow Wood for some eight years before his death and some eight years after it as well. All had known to come to her and to respect her authority as lady of the castle, but that was besides the point.

"But that brings me to a request I wished to make of you, if I may." She said. "Once your business in the south is concluded, however long it may take, I would ask you to return to the Vale." Even if the riots could be quelled quickly, Bella knew Hubert would soon go looking for a new queen to replace her niece. That was a matter which could take years, and Bella was in no great rush for Hubert to return, but she wanted him out of the king's grasp if she could manage it. "I wish for my children to know their grandfather, to have memories of him. You have given this realm more than most men ever will, and served ably and justly as Lord Hand." She said. "But I would not wish for King's Landing to take you as well."

"And please, see to my sister, and her grandchildren as well, if you are able. The young Princess Daenys surely bears a great burden now, being heir until a brother arrives."

Lord Luceon Swann

I'm pleased to see you in good health Lord Luceon Swann in reaching out to our House, I Acting Lord Tyburn Warwyck is presently handling some affairs in the stead of my good cousin Lewis Sarwyck whom has entrusted me with such vital duty.

I see great potential from you proposal and wish to see our two houses joined as one through you're niece Marya. But may I make an counter proposal to you good Lord Luceon, my good nephew Kaeyron Sarwyck may make better suitor for you niece Marya, he's young and inexperienced but with a good woman at his side might steer Riverspring where it needs to be.

The match is agreeable, fear not Lady Marya will be treated well by us.

Family is Hope, Protect it Always

Acting Lord Tyburn Warwyck

"Thank you again!" Hel called after her in parting, not at all troubked. Then, she closed her eyes, spun, opened them, and then wandered off in whatever direction fate has chosen for her.

u/Vierwyne

Pings

u/tierails

u/Varnerbet

u/Emergency_Sky_2806

The Lord Hand shifted uncomfortably in his seat upon the mention of the Queen. Her death and the recent sundering of Heart's Home with the Iron Throne displeased Hubert Arryn greatly. He only prayed that Lord Qarl did not escalate things, at least not before Hubert had decided what he ought to do knowing what he knew.

But his heart did bleed for Minisa. For all the loss he had experienced in life, so far he had not buried any of his children. A miracle to be sure, for near all who had sired heirs had lost them even if only within the womb. The gods smiled upon his ilk, or at least they did with him for some reason.

"I don't believe any words will fill that the hole the Queen has left for us all..." Hubert said, his eyes wondering to the window and to the sky. In the back of his mind the thoughts of who ought replace her ever present. "I will make sure Lady Minisa is well cared for, for however long she might wish be there. Now that you are kin of mine own, the falcon and raven ought to keep each sound." Bella's pedigree was certainly a sweetener to the bitterness that had tainted the union of Alester and his gooddaughter.

"As for my lovely wife" he snorted a short laugh, aware of sometimes the brazen bronze in the blood of many a Royce shone hard in Ursula at times "She has certainly harboured a prejudice against Minerva. I believe it was something that happened since I left the Eyrie for the Red Keep. Of all the things I manage in this realm, I cannot prevent two women finding one another reprehensible in some form or another. I must say myself, Minvera's own ties to Osric have tainted her even in my mind if I let my mind wonder. But I must remember, it is not the girl's fault. Besides, I could no sooner command Ursula to cease than I could fly out these windows. I love the woman because of, not in spite of, her Royce hard-headedness. Before I gained my titles, she even ruled me for a time" Hubert said with laughter on his lips, remembering simpler, easier times with his love.

"I sometimes wonder if I have looked too much elsewhere, though" he admitted "So many new members of the household in this place. I feel almost out of place. Most of my men have retired or joined me south. The Lord of the Eyrie should know who is who beneath his roof. What sort of lord does it make me when at our meals in the hall I do not know the names of these men and women. I'm sure you knew the name of every person who served at Willow Wood, my Bella. Should I not know them? What else do I not know, if I do not know mine own household" Hubert shook his head.

Alester bowed. He’d expected more scorn when facing Lady Osgrey, but perhaps he had been misinformed. After all, the last one he’d ever spoken to had been pretending to be a man. He gave Ysenda another sidewards look, unsure if she truly remembered him or not. The hair would perhaps confuse her more, if she didn’t.

“Lady Isabel,” Alester bowed brusquely. He remembered seeing this one, a giant even compared to him. She seemed rather aloof, but that was to be expected of someone betrothed to the heir of the Arbor. But, in truth, it wasn’t her he was interested in. “Lady Ysenda. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He finally met her eyes again, and there could have been no doubt as to who she was.

“Then you are most welcome. My Lord cousin hopes you are enjoying the evening. Sunhouse is not so grand as Highgarden, though. It makes the castle seem greater, with everyone present.” Even as he spoke, he glanced at the older Lady, trying to gauge her reaction. I hope you like my hair, he thought.

She was right. The statue stood atop a plinth of pale stone, the same as the white walls of Cuy. The town had been built to accommodate the migrating Andals, and even Sunhouse had been built around the former Gardener keep that was Sunflower Hall, now simply the great hall and accommodation levels.

The square gave a moment’s respite from the press of townsfolk and the shouting of competing vendors. “The square was built by that Lord, though I can’t remember his name now. From here all the streets lead to the port.” He looked at some of the stalls scattered about the square, a smattering of jewellery peddlers and food sellers. “Are you hungry?”

Alester shuffled, his discomfort obvious in the way he avoided his knights eye. A moment of pride crossed his features, and he looked up for a moment. Then, it all came down again and Alester’s head fell once more. “I meant no offence, Ser. I had hoped a good performance might make up for the name but…” Alester cut himself off. He didn’t like disappointing his knight. “Second is sadly no first. I had hoped to name your sister Queen of Love and Beauty, if I had made it so far.”

"Ah, if that is so then I shall look forward to the day you host your own feasts, Lady Arianne." Violet chuckled warmly. As Lady of Riverrun she had certainly become acquainted with and skilled at the art of hosting, though she wouldn't have counted it amongst her own interests. Rather, it was her duty, and duty was second amongst the three most important things in her life now.

"I hope you will find the Trident as much a home as the Reach, one day. I know my sister is certainly proud to call the Reach her home now... I, on the other hand, was fortunate in my own marriage, that it did not call me to leave my homeland." She said. "I spent many years away from the riverlands as a girl. I was rather glad to know the rest of my days would be spent where I was born." Violet had grown homesick in all her years away, and would have mourned if she had married any other and been made to live elsewhere. The Trident was her home, and it was the home of her children as well, and she wouldn't have had it any other way.

"What do you make of the riverlands?" She asked, in part for curiosity and in part for the reason that Arianne would one day become lady of a house that was amongst her husband's most influential bannermen. She trusted that Kyra would not have placed an incompetent or a deceitful woman in such a position, but Violet needed to get the make of Arianne herself. She would not have liked to learn that Arianne was another Fennell Frey, in that regard.

The township at Banefort was detached from the castle, a polite, respectable distance between the two, rather than pressed up against each other like a couple abed as Cuy & Sunhouse were.

Cyrelle seemed to be at ease. Every so often some bustle was rather nice, but she did also appreciate the value of quiet. “Striking a noble pose, no doubt?” She half asked, half suggested.

Violet frowned, unhappy to hear that her daughter had been thinking to insult one brother as another choked. "Let this be a lesson to all of you," she said, "you as well, Edmure. Listen when someone instructs you in something, and," she turned her gaze to the squabbling pair, "speak kindly to one another, and look out for each other." Her sharp gaze flitted between her three children. "You know your house words well enough that I need not remind you which word comes first and foremost." She said, and fussed over Edmure once more before returning to the feast.

Oscar eyed his three cousins sheepishly after the scolding they had received. "Mayhaps... you shouldn't think of an insult anymore, Lyra." He mumbled. "So... Grover should apologize instead." He said, and then eyed Edmure warily, that he might fall into a choking fit again.

A muffled noise, somewhere between a grunt and a murmur. “I suspected as much. Second in the melee too.” He noted, seeing how the squire would react to that reminder. “Only someone close to us would have the temerity to name themselves such.” The Baneforts had been loyal and true in their marriages, so it was a slight to suggest what he had, even if nobody seemed likely to begrudge the widower Lord that much.

Now Kyra did have to resist the urge to roll her eyes. They were clearly of two very different mindsets. Two very incompatible mindsets at that. "Very well—if you wish to get lost, then by all means." She said, sweeping an arm out. "I must return to my children now." She said and turned on her heel, biting back a comment about Helicent being just as childish.

Alester pondered for a moment, then nodded through the middle path. “Merle will be best. It was always the most lively part of Cuy.”

Despite the years away, he remembered the way like it was days. The streets were lined with tiny flags upon lines, which crisscrossed the street above the two. They had to walk along the middle of the street, for vendors crowded every part of the roadside with their carts and stalls.

Alester looked at Cyrelle, wondering if she liked the bustle as much as he did. Banefort could get frightfully full at times, but nothing compared to a town during a tourney. “The square is up ahead. You’ll know where it is, there’s a statue of some old Lord Cuy in the middle.”