Lord Leyton Hightower was inside his solar reviewing the annual revenue of House Hightower with Maester Vaegon. Revenues were relatively good despite an increased levy initiated by King Aegon V to fund his social reforms.
"Maester, all appears to be in order. Revenue from my late father's agreement with the Essosi wine merchants have increased and the dowry for my Lady Aunt's marriage to the head of House Ambrose has filled our coffers well this year" said Lord Leyton whilst looking outside to the harbor.
Vaegon nodded at the statement and added: "My lord, I believe that King Jaehaerys will redact his father's policies as they have angered the lords of the realm".
Staring out into the harbor Leyton contemplated over the goodhearted but shortsighted policies of King Aegon V. Having spent his childhood with the hedge knight turned Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Duncan the Tall, Aegon V had interacted with smallfolk and understood their limited rights and protection under the law. He forbid lords from arbitrarily evicting smallfolk from their lands, seizing their coin and gave them the right to marry without their approval. Also decreasing taxes on the Faith in return for their increased efforts on providing aid to the poor, whilst increasing taxes on the lords to make up for the decreased revenue.
Leyton understood the reasons why the late King had implemented his policies, he wanted everyone in his realm to have enough to eat, sleep at night without the risk of being forcibly removed and make life changing decisions without the permission of others. But what he couldn't understand was did the King ever expect to see his laws permanently accepted throughout Westeros? The lords of the realm had the final say in see that changes in society transitioned into the long term. The King had offered no incentives to the lords, he offered no explanation besides his statement that the smallfolk deserved better, insulting the proud Great houses. The discontent in the realm manifested throughout the small rebellions during the entirety of the reign of Aegon V, Leyton only hoped that his son Jaehaerys was more practical minded and could reinstill respect to House Targaryen before the realm fractures into civil war.
"I can only hope that King Jaehaerys is a different sort of man compared to his father. Houses Tully, Baratheon and Tyrell are at odds with House Targaryen with the broken betrothals. And with the Band of Nine across the Narrow Sea establishing their kingdom war is inevitable" sighed Leyton turning to face the Maester.
"Faced with these challenges we can expect to see the character of the new King very soon, my lord. Will allow the Blackfyres to continue to grow and wait for them to invade Westeros or will he strike at them when they are still building?" stated the twenty and nine year old Maester looking at his young liege lord.
"This coming war will also be the opportunity to show my vassals the strength of their liege lord. What do our contacts in Tyrosh have to say?"
"They report that Maelys has installed a new Archon and are moving towards the Stepstones, my lord".
Staring at the various documents on his desk Leyton muttered to himself. "The Martell lands are at the wolf's jaws aren't they?"
Looking up towards to the Maester Leyton ordered him to "Send ravens to our vassals and order them to prepare their levies. We must be prepared to defend our lands from possible invasion, and bring Ser Gunthor to my solar".
'It will be done, my lord" nodded Vaegon as he descended the long spiral staircases of the Hightower from which House Hightower get their name from.
Ser Gunthor Hightower was the younger brother of Gerold "White Bull" Hightower and uncle to Lord Leyton. In his late 20s Gunthor had the typical handsome Hightower features of high cheekbones, warm brown eyes, messy brown hair and a crooked nose that was a result of being broken and reset multiple times. Having spent his youth in Horn Hill squiring under Lord Robett Tarly he was a tough martial man who was well suited to being the master of arms of Hightower.
Nodding at the guards who saluted his arrival, he knocked and opened the heavy oak doors leading to the solar of his nephew and liege lord.
"You requested my presence, my lord" stated Gunthor.
Standing from his seat Leyton gestured to Ser Gunthor to take a seat, and poured 2 cups of Arbor gold. After both of them taking a sip Leyton looked at Gunthor and said "Ser Gunthor you have heard of the troubles plaguing the Disputed Lands and rumors of the resurgence of the Blackfyres?"
"Yes of course, my lord I have heard from traders and the lack of trade ships from Tyrosh that Maelys Blackfyre is gathering support to force his claim to the Iron Throne".
"Reports from our house's agents also confirm the rumors that Maelys is indeed preparing for an invasion. I have instructed Vaegon to send ravens to our vassals to prepare their troops in face of the coming invasion, and I would inquire about the readiness of our soldiers".
"Overlooking the minor rebellions plaguing the realm, we have enjoyed over 20 years of peace and long summers that has helped Oldtown prosper. I can say that we can readily raise about 10000 men and if needed levy another 5000 without risking Oldtown's defense. And with the arrival of the vassals of House Hightower we can field 20000 men" proudly stated Gunthor.
Nodding at the report Leyton swirled the wine in his cup before saying "The treasury can sustain an extended campaign for up to 3 years and depending upon the skills of King Jaehaerys we expect the entirety of Westeros to contest Maelys crush his planned invasion and finally end the Blackfyre threat for good". Standing up he nodded to Ser Gunthor he said "With the entirety of the realm invited to attend the coronation of King Jaehaerys II we can expect at least 6 moons before any military campaign is enacted, I leave it up to you to prepare our soldiers during that time".
Standing at receiving his orders Ser Gunthor said "It will be done, my lord" and showing a hint of a smile he begged his leave and left the solar, leaving his lord to attend to other matters.
Soon after seeing Ser Gunthor leave to attend to his duties Leyton called for his servants to prepare for the journey to King's Landing to attend the coronation of King Jaehaerys II.
After having his beard shaven Lord Leyton Hightower relaxing inside his bath drawn with lemon scented water he thought of the circumstances that made him the head of House Hightower.
Spending the morn in the training yard the young squire Leyton Hightower was currently spending the afternoon with his midday meal inside the Vaith family library browsing a copy of the Conquest of Dorne, when a servant addressed him. "My lord, Lord Vaith requests your presence in his solar"
Leyton wondered at why Lord Vaith would invite him to his solar, he usually ate alone or with one of his household. Nevertheless he got up and followed the servant and entered the room. When he entered he saw Lord Vaith whispering with a man dressed in Hightower colors: the signature Hightower on a field of gray, who looked ragged and worn typical of a messenger. He looked grim and glanced at Leyton in his conversation with Lord Vaith and begged his leave. Whilst passing Leyton on his way out he gave him a look of sympathy, like a man who knows that you lost a major bet in a game of cards.
Lord Vaith ordered a servant to bring a jug of Dornish Red, whilst gesturing Leyton to sit down. Daeron Vaith had a weary look on his face and turned around and asked "Leyton, how did you spend your day?"
Shifting lightly in his chair Leyton looking into Lord Vaith's knowing green eyes respectfully replied "I spent the morning with Ser Symon on the training yard, and was spending midday inside the library, my lord".
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation when a young servant girl arrived with the wine. Leyton gave a slight smile to her and saw her blush and hurriedly left the solar.
When Leyton attempted to pour wine for his guardian, Lord Vaith waved his hand and motioned that he remain seated while pouring the wine into the cups. After receiving his cup Leyton swirled the cup of wine to release the distinct smell of Dornish Red and drank it in one gulp. Grimacing slightly at the sour taste he put the cup down and waited for Lord Vaith to finish.
In between sips of his wine Lord Vaith asked if his father ever told him how he and Lord Vaith met each other. Shrugging his shoulders Leyton shook his head while stating that he only knew that they first met during the fourth Blackfyre Rebellion.
"Me and your father were both squires for Ser Duncan the Tall when Daemon Blackfyre landed upon Massey's Point, King Aegon gathered his vassals and marched to face him at Wendwater Bridge. Having brought the entirety of the Kingsguard and the 3 princes Duncan, Jaehaerys and Daeron, we thought that we were invincible and being young squires eager to earn their knighthood we begged Ser Duncan to allow us to lead the first charge into the Blackfyre army. He entrusted us to Ser Tion Lannister and we could hardly wait before we could drive the enemy back into the Narrow Sea".
Leyton could see that Lord Vaith had a melancholy air about him, poured another cup of wine and drank it before continuing "As our army had more horse King Aegon ordered a flanking attack while the foot led by Ser Duncan would take the bridge. It was an effective plan that would have divided the Blackfyres and completely shatter them, but the gods had other plans. Our part of the horse encountered boggy terrain right before the assembled Blackfyre army several horses around me slipped and fell taking their riders with them, I was barely holding onto my destrier and the charge that was supposed to cut into their sides like a hot knife through butter stalled and bluntly slammed into their spearmen".
Lord Vaith slammed his clenched fist into his open palm and continued "We only got a few hands deep into their lines when our momentum faltered and Ser Tion, your father and a few knights were surrounded by Golden Company spearmen".
Looking into Leyton's eyes Lord Vaith continued his story "A man doesn't know true battle rage until he fights for his life, I dropped my lance and immediately started swinging with my sword. I faintly remember seeing knights around me being dragged from their saddles into the waiting tide of spear points. My sword arm ached after swinging, parrying and blocking thrusts from the enemy, yet I knew that if I stopped for even a moment I would be overwhelmed. I could see only what was in front of me in the heat of battle that I didn't notice all the small cuts that bit into my joints of armor before a spear burst into my thigh and I fell. I believe that it was at that moment Ser Tion was pulled from his horse, and I thought to myself that I would soon follow before your father charged the spearmen surrounding me and kept them at bay until reinforcements broke through into our circle. We were both knighted that day for having just survived a death trap, but the joy I thought of being knighted was replaced with the aftermath of bodies of men everywhere, the smell of blood and shit and sweat throughout the battlefield and the thought of barely surviving my first battle".
Letting a sigh escape from his mouth Lord Vaith rested his head on the crown of his ebony wood chair and waited for an answer from his ward. Leyton sat for a moment to process the story before he asked Lord Vaith "An interesting story, my lord but why are you suddenly talking about your adventures with my lord father, you never spoke much of him before" inquired Leyton.
"Your father was an honorable and brave man I would hope that you will remember him as such."
"What do you mean, my lord" asked Leyton.
Steeling himself Lord Vaith told Leyton that "The messenger you've just seen arrived midday and brought news that your parents both perished while returning from Lys".
Leyton nodded at the news, seemingly unaffected and asked "What were they doing in Lys?"
Slightly surprised at the lack of emotion coming from Leyton, Lord Vaith said "They were returning from talks to create a betrothal between you and one of the daughters of the head of House Rogare".
Nodding at that news Leyton poured himself another cup of wine and asked "Is there anything else you wish to say, my lord?"
Lord Vaith replied "As the new head of House Hightower you will soon return back to Oldtown, I would knight you on the morrow".
Leyton numbly nodded his approval and begged his leave. At first walking leaving his guardian's solar, but as he got closer and closer to his room he was moving faster and faster until he was running through the castle. He quickly pulled the worn birch door open and immediately bolted the door shut and sat down on his bed.
He rested his head upon his hands and tried to handle all the emotions he had swirling in his head: disbelief, sadness, and a feeling of emptiness.
They aren't dead, it can't happen, the summer storms in the Narrow Sea aren't fierce. Their ship was just stalled near the Stepstones thought Leyton before he realized the water he was bathing in had turned cold. Shaking his head to clear his mind Leyton grabbed a towel placed near the window still and wiped himself dry and looked into his mirror.
From his father Raynold Hightower Leyton inherited his tall slim frame, dark hair and high cheekbones from his mother Celia Rowan he inherited his dark blue eyes and his love of books. He barely remember the features of his parents' faces but he respected their decision to foster him under Lord Daeron Vaith. Under Ser Symon's tutelage he learned the arts of war and under Maester Theobald he learned his numbers and letters. Emulating Lord Vaith, Leyton learned the art of ruling and his experiences with his fellow squires opened his eyes to the larger world. He hoped that the lessons he learned while in the Red Dunes helped prepare himself for the viper's nest called King's Landing.