Another Brother

After some time traveling west, Grayson went home to hear the news that Wina had been caught by a fever for a couple of days. She was falling ill. And Grayson was panicking beyond belief.

"Grayson would you stop shoving things down my throat?" Wina whined, pushing Grayson's hand from her. "I said I don't want it."

"Maester Urwin said you must drink this. Now drink."

"But I don't like it, Grayson!"

"Grayson, leave the poor girl alone," Erac commented, sitting by the chair at the corner of Wina's room. "I don't think you pushing your nose on her all the time would make her feel better."

"I don't think you here would make her feel better." The other twin Aren beamed, not losing the moment.

"She has been sick for almost a week, and why is that? That's because she hasn't been drinking her medicine properly, which clearly the reason why she doesn't feel any better. And clearly somebody have done their job horribly while I was away," Grayson glared at the twins. "You said you'd take care of her."

"We did." Both exclaimed.

"Then why isn't she getting better? Why haven't she finished her drink? I mean, look at it," Grayson pointed out bottles of some syrup on the table, some remained untouched. "She was supposed to finish a bottle a day. It's been almost a week and I only saw two empty bottles."

"She refused to drink 'em."

"And why is that?"

"It's too sour for her stomach."

"Well, then, force her."

"Seven Hells, Grayson, we are not going to shove all this liquid inside her. It tastes like shit and she didn't want 'em. Her stomach would not hold 'em either. Did you know, she immediately threw up after drinking?" Erac grew bored of this dramatic Grayson. "We already talked to the maester. He's currently making another remedy for her body with less acid flavor to actually digest. For now, no medicine."

"Then, why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"It's fun seeing you all frantic." Aren smirked, as the twins left the room, leaving the young boy in a series of questions.

Grayson heard a giggle from the bed. He saw Wina giggling underneath the sheet of blanket and he just let out a deep breath. "You like it when I suffer, huh Wina?"

"Kind of." Her cheeks blushed as her smile widened. "It's rather entertaining to see you—" Wina coughed and Grayson immediately rushed and sat down on the side of her bed, patting her back. She cleared her throat, frowning as she coughed more. "I am sorry Grayson."

Grayson shook his head and brought a hand to caress her cheek. He felt her leaning in and he stayed there. "I don't want you to be sick all the time. It's getting annoying, really. Especially when you just don't listen," he told her. "And I am sorry too I wasn't anywhere near to take care of you."

"Quite alright, Grayson. Lord Mace summoned you, it's a must," Wina nodded. "Speaking of, how was it? How was Lady Alerie?"

"Lady Alerie had successfully delivered her baby. Lord Mace informed me there weren't any abnormalities during the birth. Also, they were planning to hold a feast to welcome the child, next month, I think," Grayson suddenly leaned in to whisper. "It's a girl."

"A girl!" Abruptly Wina got up from her position, exclaiming. "A baby girl, really?"

"Yes. I saw the baby, she doesn't have a cock—ouch!" Grayson yelped when Wina had pinched his arm. He rubbed the spot, slightly red by now. "That hurts."

"Not a baby, Grayson. You should not disrespect a newborn baby!" Wina warned him. But then the excited look on her face came back. She was now tugging on Grayson's sleeve. "Have you met her? How was she? What does she look like? Is she beautiful? What's her name?"

"Whoa, calm down, little girl—let see, the baby is fine, little brown-haired beauty. Big brown eyes as well, the same as Loras."

"And the name? What's her name?"

"The family hasn't named her yet. From what I know, Lord Mace would really like to name the child Marcel if it were a boy. But now that it's not a boy. I am not sure what would come up."

Wina nodded quickly. "Must be so nice; having a pair of little lord and lady of Highgarden. I am so happy for the Tyrells," she declared. "And the feast to celebrate the born baby. It is necessary for the people of The Reach to welcome this child. Oh, I want to meet her!"

"If you want to meet her, then get better and drink the medicine," Grayson ordered. "We don't want to infect the baby with your fever, do we?"

"N-no, we don't."

"Yea, there you go. More reasons to drink the medicine!" Grayson remarked, pleased as she slowly nodded her head, contemplating. He shook his head, chuckling. "When the maester finished making the new syrup, will you please drink it, all of it?"

"Hm, maester better makes it sweeter. Then I might be able to consume it."

"Good! Because unlike the two dunderheads that didn't do their job well, I, on the other hand will make sure that you do just that."

"Of course," she frowned, shaking her head. "What would I be without you, Grayson?"

"Possibly dead."

"Grayson!"

Grayson laughed and immediately pulled away when Wina tried to hit him with her pillow. When she missed, she threw it to him. He managed to dodge however and laughed even more at her poor and frustrated attempt to hit him.

After a pillow and some bundles of clothing later, Wina gave up.

"Alright, that's enough," Grayson said as he started gathering the items she threw at him and placed them to their original position. "I'm going to the marketplace to buy some stocks. Do you want anything?"

"Caramel cheese candy—"

"Anything healthier?"

Wina abruptly blinked and pursed her lips, thinking of what to have. "Uh, healthier candy?" she asked, her eyes hoped.

Grayson looked down to her innocent little look, and chuckled. "Fine, but only a few. Now go get some rest, dear."

"I will," Wina nodded. "Take care, Grayson."

Grayson smiled and help Wina adjust to her blanket. Afterwards, he bent down and give her a little peck on the forehead. "You too, little one."

An elder man was pulling a cart full of cabbages with the help of his son pushing it from behind. Or was it a daughter?

At a glance he looked like a young man, and wore tunic shirt, pants, and boots like a man. But the features was all too feminine; especially with that kind of wavy long hair that he had, just passed the middle of his back. From behind, the hair stood out the most, making him looked like a girl, if you ignored the pants and boots and the heavy lifting he was now doing. The man turned around to speak to his father, the long hair waved rather softly as he moved. Grayson had never seen or met a male to have such long hair. His father and uncle both wore their hair long, but barely passing the shoulder. Grayson himself never wanted to have a long hair. Every time a pinch already grew passed his collar, he without doubt cut them. Which only made him wondered; how come this young man managed to live in such state? Did he brush the hair often? Did he have it braid? Or an up-do? Wouldn't it be inconvenience? Wouldn't it be ridiculous?

Grayson watched again as they moved again, this time almost heading to his direction. It was at this moment he realized that he, the long-haired man, was in fact a woman. A young woman with long silky brown hair and a pair pants to wear. He watched as the young woman easily directing the cartwheels without a distraction of a skirt.

Nothing against a woman dressed in men's apparel – but it was something very rare in the noble society, and very rare to accept. The society he lived in taught, or rather demanded, the girls to grow up as a proper lady. There were rules of etiquette and conduct that were significant for girls to learn. Often times Grayson caught Wina spending her days learning how to curtsy without shaking, to walk without tipping over the dress, to sit without wrinkling the bodice, to hold a spoon and a fork elegantly, to sew, to dance; such a miserable process to be a girl. And Grayson started to sick of it.

So when a woman started to break the rules, by accident or no, Grayson didn't seem to mind. His eyes intensified when she bent over to take a box of cabbages from the ground and placed it into the cart. She dressed slightly darker tone, but it was as bright as a day when the pants pressed tight on her skin, stressing her figure. Grayson pursed his lips unsure, but slightly amused.

"Grayson!" Grayson abruptly turned to his side to see much younger girl who looked just about to kill. "Are you not listening to me? I was asking you a question you know."

"Err, yeah sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

"Oh Grayson. What's on your mind that you're thinking of?" Wina sighed loudly, shaking her head. "Were you thinking of your squire position?"

"Come again?"

"I-I mean, I heard from father you'll be staying in Highgarden a lot often after the welcoming feast, to enhance your squiring," Wina told him. "Are you nervous?"

I am not, as in I wasn't even thinking about it. Grayson shrugged. "Not really, but I wasn't sure what to expect," he said. "I guess I just need to wait for that moment."

"I guess you are right – anyhow I was asking you about the present I'd like to make for little Lady Margery," Wina reminded him. "So which one?"

"Which one what?"

"Grayson," Wina furrowed her eyebrow and shook her head. "What do you think I should make? A doll or a clothing garment?"

"I don't think it should be a doll. It's too obvious. Trust me when I say this, a lot of people would give Lady Margery dolls."

"How do you know?"

"Because people sent you dolls when you were born."

"Oh," Wina sheepishly nodded. "Then a clothing garment it is."

Grayson hummed slightly, actually thinking. "Let me gently remind you that we'll be going in five days. So which garment can you make faster?"

"Uh, I was thinking of a small cloak but I didn't realized the day was very near," she hesitated. "Why didn't I think about this earlier? What should I do Grayson?"

Grayson looked at his sister; his sweet sister who was very bewildered at the moment. He knew she tried to calm down but a hint of sadness and disappointment spread all over her face.

"You know, I've seen you craft stuff with your yarn and needles and those sewing equipment. I am sure you can make something very special for Lady Margery."

"What are you talking about, Grayson? All I've been making is either brooch or hairpins, always those two."

"Well, are those something that you can make within five days?"

"Ehm, those only need no more than two days actually," Wina added. "If I get to it nonstop."

"Why, there you go. A brooch then."

"But," she pursed her lips. "Don't you think a brooch is too simple for Lady Margery? I can't make like the jewelry brooches. I am worried it wouldn't be as good as the expensive brooches."

"Oh, no no no, I reckon you do just that," Grayson shook his head. "With all the grand extravagance, you'll need a little of something simple every now and then."

Wina sighed and leaning into Grayson's arm as the two just watched the market again. Grayson instinctively placed an arm around her shoulder, slightly squeezing her for comfort.

"Grayson?"

"Yes?"

"Did you see that woman over there? The one that is selling vegetables?"

"Yeah?"

"She's wearing men's outfit."

"I know, I've been watching her for quite a while," Grayson nodded. "Answer me this, sister; do you think it is more comfortable to wear pants than a dress?"

Wina suddenly grinned and nudged him. Without a word, she lifted the hem of the dress, revealing a pair of cotton pants hugging her dangling legs. Grayson raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Are you tempting with me with your little legs?"

"Nooo!" Abruptly she wrapped her skirt back down, face reddened and embarrassed by his conclusion. "I was only showing you my pants. I am wearing pants, Grayson."

"I know, I am only kidding," Grayson laughed. "I wasn't aware you'd wear pants in public."

"No I am not wearing pants in public. It's hidden underneath the dress."

"But you just showed it to the whole market."

Wina blinked and frowned, knowing that he was right. She shook her head, her hands moved to straighten her skirt. "I did it so quickly no one noticed."

"If you say so – hey, you haven't answer my question."

And then she would never answer his question as both siblings were distracted with a sudden commotion on the food stand just next to them.

...

A conflict between a seller and a market landlord, arguing about the rent of a selling booth. There was a debt to be paid. The landlord insisted on additional payment, however the seller who was short of money couldn't pay for whole and insisted of having the obligation paid later on. That causing the landlord to forbid his selling rights until the payment was fulfilled. The day started to heating up, also as their words, with the both men couldn't find a balance point between their argument.

Wina watched as the landlord began throwing all the dough, cookies, and bread out of the table. And the seller and his wife started to push him out of the tent, begging for mercy. No mercy was given for them, no such hope. Suddenly more landlords were coming, helping the landlord to evict the sellers, with less and less thoughts and more and more brutes. And Wina frowned. Such a horrible act within humanity. The fact that these people were no soldiers, yet the level of violence almost equal; survival – not in war, but in everyday lives. Such a horrible act of living.

Wina didn't like violence. Sure she watched bloodied combats but only on competing events, and that alone already gave her ride of emotions she didn't like. She couldn't imagine the reality of battle of survival. A war of survival. The rules were; if the enemy won, she mourned the loss of the good side, at the same time supposedly despised the winner. If the hero won, she was supposedly cheering, but not to contemplating the fall of the enemy who fought bravely.

From her understanding, both hero and enemy were not to be cheered or despised. Both hero and enemy were only people raised to act inhumane, killing another human being. Such a horrible act of a responsibility.

That said, Wina had to hide her disappointment when Grayson always dreamt of becoming a knight, to guard and protect the innocence. To serve the realm. It was a noble dream; but a dream of a future killer if she could judge. But then again, she couldn't judge the whole world.

Suddenly a bread was thrown and flew right passed Wina's head, barely hitting her. She was too shocked to move, Grayson had already pulled her away from the bench, to move out of the way. The brawl itself was to get out of hand, and out of space as well. The selling booth was a selling booth no more. Tables and cabinets have tipped over. Ingredients spilled all over the ground, stomped. And people were falling and rolling on the ground, punched and shoved. Wina watched as a young man, a son of the seller, was shoved by one of the brute landlord and he knocked over some freshly-made soup. What a waste of food. What a waste of time. What a waste of a living.

"In the name of your king I order you to stop this conduct!"

And they stopped. All of them stopped – to acknowledge the presence of an intervention.

"Shut up, you! Mind you own business. Let the grown do the talking." One of the landlord scoffed and the other shoved the person away. "Piss off, you stupid kid!"

"Then I suppose you are stupid enough not to understand what talking really means."

The landlords glared viciously at the unknown boy who seemed just stood there. All happened so fast, Wina didn't realize that Grayson already left her to confront the adults; alone and foul-mouthed. That couldn't be good.

"The fuck you say, little prick?"

"Stupid prick is all of you." Grayson spat. "Can't you see that he's trying to make a living, to pay you a debt? Why can't you just give mercy and more time for them to collect the money? He has promised you!"

"You better shut up and go home, kid, before some shits come out of your shit mouth and then you're regret saying that to us."

"I will never regret defending a person who's done nothing wrong. It's you who should be shameful of what you've done. Tormenting the weak."

"Playing justice are we, huh?" the landlord sneered. "This cunt has been lying to me, delaying the payment for weeks."

"Please, I need more time collecting money to pay you! But I will pay!"

"Shut up, you old hag!" one of the landlord pushed the seller's wife to the ground harshly.

"Don't touch her and her family anymore!" Grayson yelled. "I order you to leave!"

Grayson stood his ground, despite the landlords started to get closer to him. "You are pushing the limit, annoying little shit!" one of them finally taking out a knife from the pocket. "Say one more word and I'll have your stupid tongue off your head."

The landlord drew his knife closer to Grayson's mouth. At this point the boy's breath hitch slightly, carefully eyeing where the pointy end neared. "Not so brave right now? Now leave!"

"No!" however, the young boy smiled instead. "You leave!"

Without any doubt the landlord took Grayson by the collar and started pinning him down on the ground. Grayson dodged the knife aimed to him, but the second attempt wasn't a success as the other lords began to pin him down, leaving no limbs to move or fight.

"I've had enough! Die you bastard!"

All of the sudden a spear struck the landlord on top of Grayson, sending him off guard and clutching in pain. The other landlords stood to make an ambush, but immediately froze to whatever came to them, and kneeled.

"Stop this commotion right now!" one of the city guards marched towards the fallen suspects, while the others went for the bloodied. "Three of you will come forth to Steep Stone to commit your cruelty."

"B-but please, ser! We've done nothing wrong!" pleaded one of the landlords.

"You've destructed public facility as well as disturbing the wellbeing of society," the city guards glanced at the fallen boy, before continued, "not to mention all of you have been caught threatening and ambushing the son of Lord Byronn Hornscout, a squire of Lord Mace Tyrell; well, that's a different crime to tell. Guards, seized all of them."

Grayson stood up, his eyes never left the once obnoxiously arrogant landlords, now being strapped and captured by the city guards; city guards that had been summoned by Wina.

"Grayson, brother, are you alright!" the little girl reached out to him, her face paled, her breathing shook. "Grayson, are you hurt?"

"I am fine, Wina. You know nothing can hurt me."

Wina frowned and her hand slapped. "Don't you dare joke about it, about your own life!"

"Ouch Wina!" Grayson rubbed the arm she hit. "Now you just did."

"My lord, my lady, are you alright?" one of the guards came approaching. "My lord, what did they do to you? Did they hurt you bad?"

"Other than my shirt smelled onion soup now, I'm fine captain," Grayson nodded and added. "Thank you, ser."

"If your sister didn't come to us on time, you would have been seriously injured," the captain warned him. "Besides, what were you doing on this side of the market? And alone! This place isn't for you, my lord, my lady. It's too dangerous."

"We like to wander off, I guess."

"He likes to wander off," Wina pressed, glaring at Grayson. "And he does the stupidest things as well."

"What you did was brave, my lord. But it wasn't on the right time and the right place, I'm afraid."

"Well, what can I say, I like to explore my options."

"Stupid explorer, you are." Wina pouted and shook her head. Grayson just looked at her, a smiled carved on his lips. He casually put an arm on her shoulder. She might dislike his behavior, but he felt her leaning in. Oh, sweet sister. "No! Grayson don't! You smell onion!"