You and Varys leave richer than you left, and overall, you're satisfied. You part ways near your home and walk inside. When you arrive, you see your aunt and brother have worried looks on their faces and are waiting outside your parents' bedroom.
You ask your aunt what's going on. She tells you that your father was attacked in the stables. Some thieves came during the night. They attempted to steal Midnight, and your father fought them off, but not before one of them stabbed him. Your mother managed to get some guards before the thieves could get away with Midnight.
The next few days are rather tense. Your father often wakes up, only to fall back asleep a few minutes later. After a few days, he's well enough to speak. There's a knock on the door, and you go to answer it. It's Sir Robert Gale. You're so surprised at his presence, you don't know what to say. Luckily, he speaks first.
"Dorn, right? Your father's told me a lot about you. How's he doing? Is he doing better?" You manage to nod. Sir Robert walks in and goes to talk with your father and mother. He hands over a bag, which you assume has a large amount of Gold stuffed inside of it. Then he comforts your mother and shakes your father's hand. Your father whispers something to him, but you can't really hear anything from this distance.
Sir Robert spends a few more minutes talking to your parents, then leaves their bedroom. He approaches you on his way out and asks if he might have a word. You nod and follow him. "Dorn, I really appreciate everything your father has done. Midnight is quite a handful to care for; it will be difficult to find someone to replace him."
You frown, the words suddenly hitting you. "Replace him? What do you mean?"
Sir Robert puts his hand on your shoulder. "Unfortunately, I'm leaving town in a few days for another tournament. In fact, I plan on attending several tournaments over the next few months. Your father is in no condition to come with me, so I'll have to find a new horse trainer."
"I can help," you quickly reply. "I may not be as well-versed when it comes to horses as my father, but I know enough."
Sir Robert smiles. "That's nice of you, but I already have an experienced horse trainer in mind who I know will be more than willing to take over in your father's absence."
You frown again. Seeing this, Sir Robert continues. "However, I am in need of a squire…tell me, do you know much about tournaments?"
You nod ecstatically. "I've watched almost every single one you've participated in here."
Sir Robert Gale looks puzzled. "Really? I thought your father didn't allow you to attend."
You decide there's no point in lying. "I go anyway. I saved up money to attend the ones I could afford, and well…ones I couldn't, I snuck into."
Sir Robert laughs. "Interesting. Do you have any other experience?"
You think for a moment…
"Well, I have actually competed in a tournament…a team melee, to be exact," you reply.
"Really? Did you win?" asks Sir Robert.
"No…but I did learn quite a bit."
"Impressive, quite impressive," Sir Robert replies. You aren't quite sure if he's being sarcastic or genuine.