— Who is the little girl? — said Cerella, looking out the window.
Charlotte was playing with other children outside, supervised by Septa.
Ser Lymond gave Gwayne a glowering look.
— I will take care of the matter. — he said, looking out the window. — she seems happy here.
— You need to tell her. — said the grandfather.
— I'm going... — said Gwayne, going outside.
It was a perfect day, the sun making the day warm and the trees providing a refreshing wind.
Charlotte was catching her breath in the shade of a tree, two little girls were with her and Septa was watching her from afar.
Gwayne called out to her and she came running, her dresses were dirty with sand, but with a huge smile on her face.
— Hello, Charlotte... — he said, bending down to her height. — we need to talk about an important matter, come with me.
Gwayne walked with her along one of the village roads, toward the village's stone Sept. People stopped to bow to him, and smiled at the dirty little girl. Men carrying boxes from one side to the other, merchants going about their busy lives, soldiers patrolling the streets passed by them, many wooden houses and others made of stone. Some with two and even three floors, a huge open beer garden, covered one of the streets.
After a brief walk, they saw the village's Sept, a rustic stone Sept, but relatively large, compared to the castle's. They entered and sat down, said a brief prayer with the Septon, it was a pleasant place, a window at the back of the altar gave rainbow light throughout the room, there were some women praying on some benches behind.
— Charlotte...
- Yes? — she replied, an innocent smile on her face.
After an uncomfortable silence, he spoke.
- I...
- You?
— Your father is dead. — he said, finally.
—How... —her face was in a shock of surprise and uncertainty.
— I killed him... — Gwayne was distressed, he feared causing the girl pain. — your father was...
— A bad man... — she said, with tears in her eyes.
She hugged him as he cried.
— You were the knight who protects the innocent — she said, whimpering. — I knew from the beginning.
— Don't you hate me now? — said Gwayne, with an astonished face.
— Hate? — she said, without understanding. — It's wrong to say that, but I'm glad he's dead. Now my mother is free, so is Every, and so is my half brother.
His face froze after hearing the name.
— Charlotte, tell me about her... How is she?
— Now that he's dead, yes, it's fine... I hated her at first, I thought she was a bad woman trying to take my mother's place. — She paused and placed her hands clasped in her lap.
— She suffered a lot... But now she is free.
Gwayne was lost in thought after hearing these things.
— Who was she to you? — she asked, while placing her hand on his arm.
— Someone... — he said quickly, then forced himself to smile and rubbed her head. - Don't worry about that.
Gwayne knew he couldn't afford to be sad, he had important things to do that needed his complete focus.
— Let's go. — he said, putting her on her feet. — I'll take you back to your friends.
— I think it's better for me to stay, he was a monster, but he was still my father... — she said as she looked around and her face was lit up by a rainbow. — I didn't have any good memories with him, but I think it's my duty to mourn... I think...
She started to cry.
Gwayne hugged her and stayed with her, in silence, respecting her time.
After a while, she broke the silence.
— What will happen to my mother now... My father's sister isn't as bad as him, but she's certainly not a good person.
Gwayne lifted her face with his hand.
— Don't worry, child. — He said, with confidence in her voice. — I'll help you with that, but first I have to go east...
— You're going to war... Don't die, you're a good knight... — she said, sobbing.
— I won't fall so easily — he said, smiling.
The Septa appeared at the door, Gwayne signaled her with his hand.
— I have to go now, I need to get ready to leave.
— Will I be able to leave, back to my house? — she asked, in a tearful voice.
Gwayne didn't know how to respond, so he just kissed her forehead.
— I'll leave you with Septa. — he said.
Then he went outside.
Gwayne went to check on Mark at the castle, met Daeron and Jacks outside the Maester's room.
— How is he? — he asked, in a worried tone.
Daeron stood up immediately upon seeing him.
"Gwayne," he murmured.
— He's fine, but not thanks to you. — said Jacks, in an irritated tone.
— Watch your lines, Jacks. — warned Daeron.
— It's the truth. — he said, huffing and returning to sit down.
— You weren't supposed to participate in the battle, your role was to protect me! — exclaimed Daeron.
Gwayne opened the door to the Maester's office, and looked inside, then looked at Jacks.
— If that had happened to Daeron, you would both have your heads ripped off and placed on the castle walls for insubordination. — Gwayne had a cold look. — disobey again and that's what will happen.
Jacks was silent and then apologized.
— How is he, Maester? — asked Gwayne.
— He will be fine, the healing process will take time but he will heal.
— Thank the Gods... — Gwayne approached and touched Mark's hand, he seemed relieved. — may the seven protect you, my friend.
Then, he returned to the hall.
— You can wait beside him, Jacks. said Gwayne.
Jacks bowed and quickly entered the room.
Leaving the Maester angry.
— Daeron, will you come with me to the Rock? — asked Gwayne. I'll understand if you don't want to, it's safer for you to stay.
— I won't leave you alone... I'll be with you! — he said, excitedly.
— Go and get your things, you will sleep here today and we will leave at dawn.
— Of course... I'll do it right now! — he said excitedly, then ran away.
Gwayne laughed and went to look for his grandfather, he wanted to get everything ready for the trip.
They talked about many things, Ser Lymond called for Ser Patrick and told him to pack everything, the men, the weapons, horses and provisions.
— You will have fifty men and five knights to assist you, Gwayne. — he said.
— That's enough. — he said.
— You must not be reckless, do not take risks. — he said, in a tone of order.
— just take your men wherever Ser Jaime tells you, that's enough.
— I will do as you say.
Ser Lymond looked at the Maester.
— Send a letter to Lord Wulf, it's time for them to come. — he said.
— Wulf? — asked Gwayne.
— We will need them, I promised them a place to build a fortress and it is time for me to do my part. — Ser Lymond sighed. — it's time to form our own army.
— It's a shame I'm not here to meet them again...
— you will do this when you return, Gwayne.
I said I could expand my army and that's what I'm going to do.
— And then? Gwayne frowned.
Ser Lymond didn't respond, he just looked at the Maester and said.
— Send a raven, they should be stationed in Oldtown.
— It will be done, my lord.
—I will have a thousand men here at Fort Pride when you return, and with Lord Wulf and the Rotherlys' men, that number could be close to two thousand... That's enough to draw the other knightly houses sworn to the Sarsfields to the our side.
— It's a great plan, sir. — Gwayne had an excited face.
— Houses Dutterwell, Highwood and Purplehart have always been more favorable to our side, I just have to convince the others to leave neutrality... It will be done.
—And then there are the Roxtons, grandfather. said Gwayne. — they are with us.
— Good point, Gwayne. — Ser Lymond had a smile on his face.
— What are you two doing? — said Cerella with half-closed eyes. — you have to start including me in these conversations...
— You will be, I will tell you everything. said Ser Lymond, laughing.
They joined in the laughter.
— Well, I have to pack some things for my departure. — Gwayne approached and kissed her on the cheek.
— I'll see you later. — he said, leaving.
Gwayne met Daeron at the entrance, carrying his weapons and armor. One of the soldiers helped him as he almost tripped.
Gwayne laughed.
— let me help you. — said Gwayne, and dismissed the soldier.
He helped Daeron carry him upstairs to Gwayne's room.
— Spear... Sword... And bow, it seems to be all here. — he said.
— You told me to prepare... — said Daeron, with a smile on his face.
— that's good, but you won't be able to use all these weapons... — Gwayne stopped in a thoughtful pose. — you will have to choose between the bow and the spear, there are a lot of things for you to use and the sword is essential.
Daeron knelt and chose, pointing at the spear.
— I'll take her.
- She?
— Yes, the meat skewer. — Daeron laughed and looked waiting for Gwayne's reaction.
Daeron laughed after hearing that name.
— Good name. — said Gwayne, while laughing.
Gwayne helped him place his armor on the table.
— you took good care of them. — he said.
— Well, it runs in the family.
After that, they sat on the porch and looked at the village.
— Do you know the name Aerea? — asked Gwayne.
— No... But it looks Valyrian, I think.
—Targaryen, then. — Gwayne seemed satisfied. — let's go down and see what they prepared for our farewell.
They left the room and noticed that the castle was agitated because of the sounds of footsteps coming and going.
A gentle breeze carried the smell of roasting meat and fresh bread, passing through the half-open doors of the great hall.
In the castle's great hall, the sound of flames in the fireplaces mixed with the muffled sound of servants' conversations and the clinking of glasses. The table, covered with generously served dishes, seemed to shine. A feast for them.
Ser Lymond, Gwayne's grandfather, stood at the head of the table. Her gaze, despite being firm, reflected the concern of a man who had seen many battles and lost a son and many friends. He watched Gwayne with a mix of pride and sadness, knowing that this could be the last time he would see him. Beside him, Cerella, tried to maintain a calm countenance, but her eyes constantly followed him, as if she wanted to record every detail of him in her memory.
Gwayne, sitting in a prominent position, maintained a serene expression.
He raised the chalice to toast, but before he could speak, Septa Lorren rose as well. "May the Seven guide your steps and protect you Gwayne. Always remember what I taught you", she said, her voice soft but firm. Gwayne nodded, grateful for the comforting words.
Little Charlotte was sitting next to Gwayne, her feet dangling on the chair. She tugged at the sleeve of her dress, and when he turned to her, she handed him a small amulet of faith. "It's to protect you," she said in a shy but hopeful voice. Gwayne smiled at her. "Thank you, little Charlotte. I'll keep it with me."
The feast continued, as the night drew to a close, Ser Lymond rose. "Today we celebrate the bravery and duty of our young men, Gwayne and Daeron, their strong voice echoed through the hall. "May the path they walk be guided by honor, and may they return to this hall as heroes. Gwayne, Daeron, but remember that the honor of our house goes with you. Come back to us, if the gods allow it."
Gwayne and Daeron raised their goblets in response, as did everyone else at the table.
With these words, the night ends. Farewells were said, and the castle, which had once rang with joy, was now wrapped in a cloak of apprehension, awaiting a new dawn and the winds of war.
Gwayne's confidant since childhood, Septa Lorren was standing at the exit of the hall, slightly apart, but with her eyes fixed on Gwayne. She maintained a serene expression, as if she were reciting a silent prayer. Her fingers played with a rainbow-colored seven-pointed star, she finally approached, offering a discreet blessing to Gwayne, murmuring words of protection that only he could hear.
He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek and then kissed her lightly on the lips.
— We'll meet again, don't worry. — he said, holding her hand.
She smiled.
— Take care of Cerella, watch her paths and lead her to better places...
— I'm right here! — exclaimed Cerella, behind them. — I know how to take care of myself, Gwayne.
She hugged him after saying that.
- You! he cares for himself. — she exclaimed, moving her face away and kissing him on the lips affectionately. — I will take care of your new little girl!
Gwayne laughed.
— I think it's good for you to do that — he said, hugging her again and moving away closer to Ser Lymond.
Cerella ran to hug Daeron, while Gwayne walked away.
Charlotte was now standing next to the table.
— Hello, little girl... — he said, pleasantly. — Did you like the food?
— Yes, the cooks here are clearly wonderful... — she smiled.
— are you going to leave?
— Yes... — Gwayne pointed to Cerella. — you see that pretty girl, she's my cousin and she promised to take care of you. I've seen you two talking before, so you must already like her at least a little bit. Am I right?
— Yes, she is kind... She said she will let me sleep with her.
Gwayne kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair.
She snorted and laughed, then ran to the Septa at the exit of the hall.
— Any tips, grandpa?
— As soon as you arrive at the Rock, send one of the knights to announce your presence, then set up camp and raise our standard. — Ser Lymond placed his hand on his chin. — I think that's all... If you have any further questions, ask the knights I will send with you.
He stood up and hugged Gwayne.
— I'm proud of you!