A Redfish

Sitting with his back to the Heart tree a young man looked around. He smelt the wildflowers linger in the air, it pleased him. He heard the streams babble. Nesting birds occasionally landed on the tree above, as a child, he thought they had come to greet him. He thought how beautiful it was and fortunate he had been. Others in his position were either disowned or banished entirely. Luckily, his father still loved him. The young man sat there, he contemplated his future and what opportunities would await him. While deep in thought a shadow blocked his light. The young man looked up with steaming blue eyes and saw a short, fat, bowlegged and has red hair. Bushy and wild as it was.

'Lord Piper' the young man spoke softly.

'Lord Rivers' replied the Lord.

The young man took a deep breath before pulling himself up. Straightening his tunic he paused. The young man seemed worried about something. Lord Piper could sense his inner turmoil with but a single glance.

'Is it time?' the young man asked with concern.

Lord Piper remained silent. Holding his arm outward the Lord simply showed the way to the great hall. Lord Rivers knew the way, many a time had he taken the route. As he strolled through the garden Lord Piper walked beside him. For a man of advanced age, Lord Piper managed to keep in step with the young man beside him.

'How are matters of the realm?' Lord Rivers inquired casually, 'Is there anything that might captivate my interest?'

The elder gentleman scoffed, 'Should the ruling of the realm and of our king interest you?'

'My father's decisions spark interest at court and like a fire, gossip spreads rapidly. If you will not share with me, I will likely hear it at a later date'

'As Hand of the King, I do not easily let such matters pass my lips with ease. A reason your father chose me to ease his reign,'

'…it would be interesting to learn what my father wishes to do next and I thought to ask…'

Lord Piper stopped in his tracks. He reached for the young man and turned him about so he could look this ward in his eyes. Lord Rivers had never seen the Hand so forceful. Lord Piper pressed his finger into the young man's chest, 'Do not test my patients Jayden. There are matters only the king and his small council may know. Do you understand?'

The young man nodded. Once this was understood the two continued onwards to the Great Hall. Reaching the far end of the garden the two approached the entrance to a corridor, Lord Piper went first and Jayden second.

The interior of the castle corridors were modest. Red brickwork had brought a distinguished identity to the inner passages of the structure. One side of the wall had large windows that allowed beams of light to flood the corridors. Providing very effective illumination during the day. Hung along the wall opposite was a large colourful tapestry which took up a large amount of space. It depicted an epic story. Jayden knew it well because it was regarding one of his ancestors. It started by the entrance of the corridor, it showed a man with red hair held in a great fortress far to the west. After that, it showed the image of this man fleeing his captivity in the dead of night. On horseback, he rode, along the king's road straight into the Riverlands. Rallying the small folk and other River Lords, the next segment showed this armoured knight laying siege to Riverrun and after a successful battle, he slew the lord, along with his family, inside. A much larger segment showed this knight leading a huge army to a pair of joined towers; one side was the knight and his army. Marching under the flag of a grey fish on a field of red and blue stripes. On the other side, a collection of men, women and children were fleeing. Only to be captured by the knight's army.

'It's always been your favourite that has,' commented The hand, 'the rise of King Edmure. The favourite tale of many children of this great house'

Jayden averted his eyes from the grand tapestry, 'I'm not a child of this house and you know it'

'You may not have their name but you have their blood'

Jayden felt his stomach tighten in worry, he held and inkling of what his fate might be. Knowing he was a stain on his father's name was bad enough but being s royal bastard could be dangerous. With such knowledge some much try to use him as a political ploy. Either way, he was afraid what fate his father would set for him in the next few moments.

The two approached a pair of large wooden doors; either side stood a pair of guards. Both wore he colours of House Tully. When they saw Lord Piper, they both stood to attention and went to open the doors to the throne room. Stepping through the doorway, Jayden was in awe of the great hall and the magnificent splendour of it. The red bricks that composed the floor, walls and columns were immaculately kept. Between the columns draped down from a second balcony level were the banners of House Tully for all to see. At the far end of the hall was a throne carved from red brick, covered in red velvet and leaping fish forged from solid gold either side of the king's seat. Sat in the throne was a middle aged man. Like Jayden he had auburn hair and blue eyes. He had a fierce beard. He is of medium height and stocky build. Over his red shirt was a light blue doublet, matching his family Sigil perfectly. Resting atop his head rested an open circlet of hammered golden incised with the images of leaping fishes, surmounted by nine sapphires under each incise.

The throne room had been cleared of all courtiers. The only ones there were the members of the Royal Guard. A row of men wearing bright mail, flowing blue-and-red cloaks and their greathelms were adorned with a silver trout. All of them were armed with longswords and shields adorned with the Sigil of House Tully. Jayden tried to stop his hands from shaking, while terrified he had no intention of letting his father see the fear growing inside himself. Lord Piper stopped, allowing Jayden to approach the throne alone. He stood from a distance and watched with the other guards.

'Jayden' the king spoke with reserved emotion in his tone, 'Do you know why I have summoned you here?'

'I could not say your grace,'

The king stood up and held his hands behind his back, 'Yesterday was your sixteenth name day. I watched you in the courtyard as you spared with Ser Clatton and I saw something within you. You favour the Warrior. Septa Aurola has said so herself. What do you think of such a statement?'

Jayden paused to think. He wondered where this line of questioning would lead. He trusted his father and decided to reply, 'I would not object. I have found training and sparing most satisfying'

The king held out his open hand toward members of the Household guard. One of the guards beside the throne reached for an object hidden just out of sight. The guard lifted the object up and revealed it to be a heater-shaped shield. Upon it were three blood-red fish on a field of pink. The guard carried it toward Jayden and handed it to the young man with ease.

'You may not have my name but you have my blood,' the king stated, 'I have discussed your status with your half siblings and my advisors. I cannot legitimise you. However, I have a suitable substitute for you'

Jayden realised what was about to happen, he was going to be named. Granted his own House and hopefully a few leagues of land, Jayden's mind began to race. He pictured himself building a castle of his own and being made a Lord. The king cleared his throat, an attempt to capture the young man's attention. Jayden suddenly snapped back to reality. Much of his fears had dissipated and wanted to know what would happen next. The king was handed a blunt sword by the guardsman to his right.

'Kneel' he commanded Jayden.

Excited, Jayden tool the shield and went down on knee before the king.

The king touched the young man on the right shoulder with his sword, 'In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave'

While placing the sword on the other shoulder he continued, 'In the name of the Father I charge you to be just.

Then by finishing the ceremony he placed the tip of the sword on the back of Jayden's head, 'In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women'

The king retracted his sword and allowed Jayden to stand up; he now bore the shield in his hands and a wide smile across his face.

'I, Edwyn Tully, second of my name. King of the Trident, Lord of Riverrun and Protector of the Realm, Here by name you Ser Jayden Redfish. Knight of the Trident,'

Jayden stood a little taller knowing he was no long a bastard. While he was proud, some part of him was disappointed. Being a royal bastard he expected to be given a castle or some land and even marrying a high-born lady. Curious about what would happen now he sought to ask, 'Your grace. I am truly grateful for this and I will swear undying loyalty to House Tully, what would you have me do now I am a sworn Knight of your House?'

The king smiled in amusement before crossing his arms, 'I have decided that a knight with a skilled swordarm is needed elsewhere. Lord Sulvan Rudge of Darry is seeking a knight to join his household; I have sent word that I will be sending a knight to his court. That knight is to be you my son'

'I am to be sent away?'

King Edwyn could see the sadness in Jayden's eyes. Anyone on there could see this but remained silent. Edwyn remained unchanged by the expression on Jayden's face, 'As a sworn knight you shall live in Darry and will have relative comfort for a knight in such a position. If you serve well then you could be granted a keep and some land of your own'

Jayden wished to stay in Riverrun and serve his father. Riverrun was all he had truly known; even so, he had no power to resist the decision of the king.

'I thank you for this opportunity your grace'

Edwyn simply nodded his head, 'Tomorrow you shall leave Riverrun for Darry. I will ensure Ser Clatton will accompany you on your journey'

'That being so your grace' Lord Piper intervened, 'I wish to discuss matters of the realm with you'

Edwyn agreed 'Why of course. Ser Jayden, you may leave'

Jayden bowed before the king before taking his leave of the great hall. He had much to do before he were to travel. Leaving the great hall Jayden was filled with mixed emotions, he was grateful to no longer be a bastard but felt unease toward the idea of leaving his home. A place he had grown up yet Riverrun was not officially his home. As he left the great hall via the doors he came through, Jayden departed it alone. As the large doors closed behind him he heard them bash against each other and how that noise echoed throughout the corridors. The noise itself did not cause him discomfort, alas, the silence that followed proved to be intolerable to the young man. This should be a time to celebrate. Instead, he felt he were to be cast aside. Banished like a lowly criminal. The only parting gift he had from his father was the Sigil of his new House. A landless knight being sent to serve some distant lord he knows little of. All of it seemed like a mixed blessing.

'Redfish' a voice uttered bluntly 'Redfish, A Redfish of the Trident. Sounds worthy of a Bard's song…'

Jayden turned, at the far end of the corridor stood a young man of a slender build, blue eyes and thick red-brown hair. He was slightly taller than Jayden; he wore a long lather grey coat with Horizontal stripes sewn on sides. A sturdy red belt was firmly around his waist and the buckle had the image of a leaping fish. He was a year or two older than Jayden. He confidently approached the young knight and patted him on the shoulder. He seemed more emotionally attached to the knight of House Redfish. Jayden knew him, Prince Brynden was a good friend of the former royal bastard and they knew each other. The prince embraced the knight with open arms and they met with a hug among half-brothers. The friendly hug was ended when Brynden pulled away and patted Jayden on the shoulder. He was excited to see his half-brother no longer bore the stain of illegitimacy and had a House of his own.

'Made a Knight and a Noble in a day' Brynden said with delight 'Father was indeed generous doing such a thing for you'

'Oh' Jayden replied 'It is such a noble thing indeed, yet, I am to be sent into the service of Lord Rudge. I leave tomorrow'

Prince Brynden's excitement turned into one of woe. Hearing second hand the news his childhood friend was to leave struck him deeply. His sadness dissipated and was quickly replaced with annoyance and anger.

'Outrageous!' Brynden exclaimed 'Not even speaking with us regarding this matter. I will speak with father one…'

Jayden stopped the prince's outrage by taking a firm grasp of the prince's hand, 'No. I do not wish for this to divide your family'

Brynden was surprised at Jayden's attitude in general, he seemed to be supressing his emotions and hiding his true feelings toward this issue. The prince knew his brother and every little thing he did well, Jayden could barely hide anything from him.

'Father did this in hopes to better your chances in the Trident. Maybe when I am king you will become a great commander, you could offer me your sword and become my Master-At-Arms or a member of my personal guard'

Jayden simply nodded 'We will have to see'

In that moment the young knight pulled away from the prince. Walking away from his closest friend Jayden wondered what the future held for him. Uncertain what would become of him, Jayden tried his hardest not to look back to his half-brother. Seeing Brynden would cause his emotional barrier to collapse, letting his true feelings surface and turn his calm demeanour to become one of a depressed maid. He knew better. After all, he knew crying about it would do little to change things. Now, he had to pack his belongings as he had a long journey to undertake the next morning.