6 : Golden Stag
My only company following my bath had been the same maid I had talked to previously asking me if I had needed anything. No was my response, and she simply curtsied and left. I had felt a tad rude for not asking her name but it was probably a regular occurrence for nobles to do so.
The following morning was the beginning of what would probably lead to me developing stomach ulcers at a young age. Following a unnoteworthy breakfast between family, then a quick "lesson" by a septon for me and renly, where a lavishly dressed old man who told us he was "Humble Wallace" who then proceeded to lecture us on the "virtues of tithing" and how the "money given to the seven's faithful would always be seen as a holy offering and would go those who needed it most". A bunch of rubbish if you ask me but he seemed very enthused by being able to give us such a speech. He wasn't the cause of the future ulcers, but he was annoying. No, it was the presence of a spider and a mockingbird that made my heart beat stutter when Renly and myself returned to the throne room. I had known Varys would be present, but I had really hoped Petyr Baelish would not be here, at least not yet. They both matched near perfectly with how he remembered them.
Varys was robed and draped in silks and velvets with a pair of slippers on his feet, still his bald and rotund self. He seemed interested in whatever the young Petyr standing next to him was talking about. Lord Baelish was slender and short, yet still taller than the small Spider and was wearing less well adorned clothing than I remembered. He already had a mockingbird crest on his well made vest, having shirked his houses titan head. They both made bows at us from a ways away when they looked my way but it made me realize all the more how much danger I would be in, if I was not already in danger that is.
The Throne room was not yet crowded, as Renly and myself made our ways next to the throne. Many lords had been paired with others from their lands, westerlanders with westerlanders, crownlanders with crownlanders and so on. It seemed many were self assigning their own locations among their group, with a very odd feeling coming from the riverlanders, two of which were bickering intensely next to whom I could only assume was Lord Hoster. Renly was making conversation with Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard. I was too busy looking at all the pomp and charades that I could see occurring but had no idea what it would mean or even why most of it was occurring. A stormlord was quietly whispering to a possible squire of a man who had a Hightower crest on his tunic near the wall, and as more Lords and Ladies streamed in the intermingling became more of a necessity than a desire but I couldn't help but feel that anyone of capable means would use this opportunity for maneuvering.
I jumped as a large hand landed on my shoulder, and looked up at the aging visage of Jon Arryn. I had dined with him previously but he looked different now. His broad shoulder seemed wider in his nearly royal doublet that had his house's falcon on both sides of his chest. His blonde hair, while going, was stately and he seemed less tired than he had at the dinner. It was diminished a tad as he began to speak and I noticed he was missing teeth.
"I see you looking, and by the face you were making you were trying to make sense of the game. I would be a hypocrit if I told you to stay out of it. It would be foolhardy even, especially with your brother being the king. You are still young Markus, and thats a great gift, but it is also a bane in the realm of politics often. 'Politics is for the old and wise' , a common saying in the Seven Kingdoms and probably around the planet. But it's never to early to understand the movements." Saying this and seeing me nodding, he made a gesture with his head towards two knights off to the side of the party of westermen.
"Those two are young themselves, from neighboring lands that have long been friendly with one another. They are both smaller, and see that being friends has worked in the past for their betterment, so they remain friends. A simple step, but a smart one. These are the moves you should learn now. Such a move was instrumental for your brother's access to the throne, do you know why?"
I wasn't expecting a question so paused for a moment longer than was necessary, but probably made me seem like I was either shy or uncertain. "Because of the North? He became friends with Neddard Stark."
He nodded slowly, as if I had said something wise, then continued lecturing, "Lord Neddard Stark, no northmen are here but they are a proud folk, and would only accept you omitting his rank in private if you held either their respect, and even then some still would not, or Lord Stark's own respect. But yes, the North was instrumental in Robert's ascension, much was my own. I consider both Lord Stark and your brother the King to be my friends, if not my own sons." He said this and smiled fondly.
He clapped my back with his hand and started to make away when I turned fully towards him and said, "Lord Arryn, is there any way I could do that? I was only really friends with one person and Dragonstone but the Tales of Lord Stark and Robert make me want that."
Turning back to me Lord Arryn gave a smile that seemed tinged with something else, and his the area around his eyes didn't convey joy as much as a possible hint of childishness or trickery. "I will speak to your brother and see if I can't have something arranged my boy. Friends are one of the most important things in life after all." He then finally turned and walked next to the throne.
It was roughly another 15 minutes later that everyone settled and Robert came out with Joffrey and Cersei. Cersei was holding Joffrey and Robert held a look of anger across his face. Everyone kneeled as they walked from the entrance to the throne. Robert stood in front of the throne and took a look around at the congregation then said, "Rise all of you, my son is healthy and is here for his royal showing." Jon Arryn's face at the lack of overture made me smile a touch, and then everyone began interspersing among the crowds, with many approaching the throne. The first to reach was Lord Tywin Lannister accompanied by his Brother and whom I assumed was Kevan's wife. Tywin and Kevan looked related, with both being of average musculature for lords of land. Tywin seemed just skinnier and taller than Kevan, who still also had hair. I wasn't included in the conversation and was on the outside of the throne area so didn't hear the conversation. Following that was Stannis accompanied by Renly and myself, then Lord Tully, Mace Tyrell, and a small group of crownland lords. Following this the floodgate seemed to have been breached and all manner of lords and ladies approached the throne. The conversation that was had was exclusively pleasantries and Renly trying his best to hold the baby but Cersei refuting him politely when we went to speak to them
Renly left my side earlier to go speak with some younger squires over near the stormland area, and a few Lords and Ladies came to my area, either talking with me for a brief period, mostly saying how much of a Baratheon I was looking and saying hellos, or to talk to a Kingsguard or two that were stationed nearby. The only interesting conversation came from Mace Tyrell who brought forward his son Garlan and talked about how he had heard I was a growing swrdsman and offered a potential spar against Garlan. Garlan seemed interested himself and asked "If Baratheons really had the strength of the ancient Durrandons" to which Mace laughed and said we had to with how heavy King Robert's heavy was. I responded with emphatic nods and said, "Robert is very strong, and Stannis is strong too! Renly and I are young, but I'd like to spar with Garlan if given the chance." Not the most eloquent of interactions but hopefully my youth still bought me some leeway for awkward interactions here.
Nothing else exciting happened at Joffrey's showing other than him crying halfway through and Queen Cersei leaving with him in her arms while Jaime Lannister in full kingsguard attire following.
It wasn't long after that when Robert announced for everyone to move to the feast arranged for the event. No tournament had been planned, but was apparently was being prepared for the prince's first name day. For now everyone was led out into an area in the Red Keep's ground where many tables were surrounded by chairs and food was being catered to by many servants. A large roasted boar was presented, along with all sorts of others meats, delicacies, and sides for the table Renly and I were at, which was just to the side of King Robert's own. We weren't on the same table but then again, his table only had chairs on one side and consisted of himself, Jon Arryn, Lysa Tully, Cersei. Between Robert and Jon Arryn were two seats that were for rotating guests, first occupied by Hoster Tully this time who seemed to have things to discuss with Jon Arryn.
I mostly stayed quiet and feasted on the array of food, but was occasionally inundated with questions or concerns mostly related to my sword training or, by asking about my equestrian skills and knowledge at one point. But most left me alone and gave Renly more attention as he was frequently loquating with everyone around him between small bites of food.
I left just before anyone got drunk, outside of a few younger men, mostly lordly heirs or squires, so that I could find my way to my quarters escorted by a servant. With the reminder of the nature of the land I was in, a fire was relit once again that I needed to be capable. I had little faith in myself to become a political genius, but I could be a great combatant and a loyal friend for someone in the future.
I believed in what Jon Arryn and I had discussed in regards to friends. Ned Stark was probably instrumental in Robert's success. While Ned's Father and brother dying was an important mark of the rebel union of the north and the stormlands, their bond really cemented the throne for Robert following the success of the rebellion. Few men on the continent had the fame or reputation of The Quiet Wolf or of House Stark. I couldn't
build the reputation of an entire house myself, but I could become known as someone
Strong and good to have on your side.
After arriving at my room I changed into some clothes to workout in and had the same servant escort me to the training yard. I was certainly too full to get in a real practice, but I could still do some simple body exercises that wouldn't make me vomit, stance work and the like. I arrived at the area, which had a great view nearby of the ocean. I decided to do my stretches while looking out towards the bay.
In a separate area separated by a small wooden fence there were two Lannister guardsmen having a light spar, probably using their off time to blow off steam in a more productive manner than most guardsmen with spare coin and time. Other than that there was a nearby stray cat lounging on a railing overlooking the training area I was in. I had found a full sized training sword in a small shed between training zones and carried that in a two handed grip as it was still too large for me to use one handed. I went through very basic sword forms and focused more on footwork and positioning more than speed or strength.
I was on the way back to my room, accompanied by a servant I had spotted near the training yard, when Lord Varys called out softly to me, "Lord Markas! A pleasure to see someone so young so committed to their training." He was wearing the same garments he had on during the feast
I turned and stopped to allow the spider to approach. "Lord Varys, correct? You are a member of my brother's small council." I said this with both of us knowing that I knew who he was. I'm still not a tremendous actor, or mummer as they call them here, even if I wish I were.
"I am simply Varys, I hold no lands, much like you at current my young lord." He said this with a bow. "I was hoping to talk to you however my lord, for I've heard tale that you're quite wise for someone of your age. 9 years since naming a already a head for figures that a dockmaster would envy or so I've heard, quite impressive." He said this with his lips upturned, which I couldn't discern if it was a simple smile or a smirk as his eyes conveyed neither.
"I would not go that far, I just had good tutors in Acolyte Meryn and Maester Cressen. They were both extremely knowledgeable." I could feel my heart beating, and felt myself panicking trying to stay calm. I have too much knowledge for this world and I have no idea how far his information network spans. I clasped my hands behind my back to try to seem less nervous even with the constant thumping in my chest.
His grin widened just a touch, "There's no need for modesty, you're practically a prince yourself if not for the new golden stag in the form of our young Prince Joffrey. From your apparel I'd say you just came from the training yard. You must be trying to prove something to someone to be working so hard. Many would simply sit aside as the brother to a king and let others shower you with gifts and compliments."
This time I smiled. Not at the notice of hard work, but that I felt like I finally understood someone's subtext during a sentence. He was trying to figure out why I was working hard and what my goals were. Certainly this was not the most complex thing to figure out but it was a start.
"Broth… King Robert is said to have been amazing in battle, and Stannis is said to be fearful at sea, both are capable men, and I've been told Renly is the very model of nobility by people who have spoken about him to me. I feel like I can't be so far behind them even if I am the youngest. I hope someday they'll speak of me like they do of King Robert, a beast upon the battlefield and the perfect example of House Baratheon's words, "Ours is the Fury!"
With a small incline of his eyebrows he then inquired, "Oh, and then why do you work so hard at studying?"
I hesitated, then blushed for hesitating because it was so abrupt of a pause mid conversation. "I find the material interesting, and hope to be a good lord someday." My smiled widened a touch as I mentally patted my own back for such a solid answer. Nothing concrete was said, stayed true to something a child would say, and left little for him to manipulate with.
"Oh expecting to be a lord are we? I'm certain you will be an excellent one." He said this with no mock or pomp as he finished with a "good day Lord Markas" and turned to walk away. My smile drooped as I said, "Good day." Maybe I didn't navigate that as well as I suspected. Nonetheless, it was another day at the Red Keep I had survived.
Stannis sat across from me in a chair behind a desk he had been allocated. Following breakfast he had asked for me to accompany him here. His voice brokered no real questioning tone despite his words, "Do you know what position I've been assigned?" I simply shook my head so he continued, "I am to be the Master of Ships, this means two major things for you. First, if I were to remain your guardian then you could not remain at Dragonstone. Second, Myself and The King are looking to see if you would not be better as taking a wardship outside the family. Possibly to a Stormlander lord or someone else. Jon Arryn has his own ideas as well, but we do not know for certain yet whom you may go to. Do you have a suggestion or preference?" With that last phrase his voice became sly, as if he was laying a trap. Then, as I opened my mouth to speak he put his hand up and said, "Your suggestion will be taken into consideration, but it may not come to pass, understand this brother."
I closed my mouth and thought for a moment longer. He had called me brother, and his tone was not the falsity that I heard when he used it around Robert when commanded. It was the same tone as the one he used for Renly when he felt like Renly was either making a fool of himself, or was about to. I had heard it a few times the previous two days.
"I would be honored to foster with Lord Stark brother, I'd like to match the tales of his prowess as a warrior and as a man of character to a real person. If that is not possible I'd prefer to avoid the reach."
His face did not change, but his eyes seemed to contract ever so slightly, which was noticeable as he did not look away when he asked with a noticeably quieter voice, "Why would you prefer to avoid the reach? The lands are said to be rife with greenery and pastures, the knights there are said to be the perfect example of chivalry, and many a noted warrior has emerged from the lands."
Expecting the question I responded with, "I would not like to feel so isolated, the only person I'd expect to visit would be Lady Selyse and yourself, in every other place except Dorne, which I didn't expect to be a serious contender, someone in the family would have reason to visit."
"Westerlands?" He asked, an inkling of a smile having come upon his face during my answer.
"King Robert would visit, and I've heard that a King's company is, well, kingly. I'd expect others to come. Besides, I am unaware of who in the westerlands beside maybe Tywin Lannister could house me, and I didn't think he would be open to the idea honestly. He seemed," I paused for a moment, "strict, when I saw him at the showing and the feast."
Nodding Stannis rose and said, "He is strict, and also a capable man. He would not do you wrong, but I do not expect that to be your Guardian. When it is clear who you will tutor under I'll let you know. For all that I am, I am still your brother. Remember that Markas." Saying this he walked me to his office door and asked a nearby guard to escort me to my room then the training yard where I was to spar with another young lord. I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to pit my skills against a new challenger. For all Gowen was a good friend, His lack of size made the fights a tad boring for me.
