The festivities started poorly and only got worse. The only highlight was my son Valarr being named one of the five champions. Maekar lost two of his boys, one a drunk the other his charge a boy of nine.
A young knight told me of earning his knighthood from Ser Arlan of Pennytree before his death on the road, remembering my own experience against Ser Arlan I vouched for him to compete.
Next the same knight is brought before us accused of striking my nephew Aerion. Hearing the story how he was protecting an innocent performer from the depredations of my unhinged kin I was inclined to be lenient, however when Daeron my other nephew came forward with a similar story I had no choice but to accept Aerions call for trial by seven.
On the meadow outside Ashford we met. By previous agreement Daeron went down early and feigned injury. The three Kingsguard were holding back from striking myself, and Duncan brought Aerion down. Like a whirlwind Maekar threw himself at me and we duelled back and forth. It was at this moment I realized my brother was in a blind rage, likely for all the perceived insults over the years.
Before anyone could react Maekar swung his mace low so I parried only for it to be proven a feint and a monstrous hammer blow took me in the head. As I lay stunned in the Tall knights arms seeing but not able to hear his pleas I look towards my brother, and was astonished to see tears in his eyes and a look of anguish on his face. Reaching for him like I used to do as children I found myself suddenly exhausted and the world fading slowly to black.
