The youngest son of Lord Gendry was quite weak physically but was smart for his very young age. He could read when he was four years old, since then he never stopped ! Maester Brumi guessed he really emulated the man his father named him after. After all, Lord Davos Seaworth learned how to read when he was quite old already and was known to always have a book in hand.
His young pupil was currently reading a story in low Valyrian. His father wanted his children to know this language to be able to improve the trades between Stom's End and the Free Cities. Young Lords Robert and Jon never were fond on studying, they rathered sword fighting practice, horse riding, hunting... Well at least, Robert rathered it for Jon always followed his elder and mimiced him in every way.
Maester Brumi was just about to help his pupil about a difficutlt word to translate when the door opened, without any knocking... He already knew who it was, he didn't even need to look. It was Lady Arya, running from her Septa who came here to read about far away lands. He sighed and turned toward her to lecture her gently about her duties but he was taken aback by the presence of Lord Gendry's bastard, Yoren by her side. She didn't even let him the possibility to talk.
« -I know Maester Brumi, I shouldn't run from my duties. But I needed to make sure Yoren was all right, you would have done the same if you'd heard the awful things Robert told him ! We need to borrow you Davos for only a few minutes, is that all right ? » Even if it was a question, the tone of her voice clearly showed what she was expecting from Brumi.
Driven by his curiosity, Davos didn't wait for Maester Brumi's autorisation. That was a sign he thought, the boy was usually obedient and calm, but he was so exicted right now that even if he refused, his young pupil would not be focused on his work. « -All right, but only for a few minutes, we have a lot of things to study today. And Yoren, your father wants you to study with me tomorrow morning. I'll see what you already know and make a schedule for you. » The young boy seemed a bit surprised and answered timidly with a nod.
Maester Brumi took the text Davos was studiyng and began to translate it again to spare time and give the siblings and young Yoren more privacy. But still, the children were not discreet so, he couldn't help to hear their conversation. Lady Arya was exicted too.
« -Davos, you know our brother, Yoren. Yoren, this is Davos, our youngest brother. Guess what Davos ? Yoren's mother taught him Braavosi sword-style, water dancing ! And he's going to teach me ! Can you believe it ? »
« -That's fantastic ? But does Father know ? And... do you think you could teach me too ? » Arya and Davos were both looking at Yoren, expectantly. He redded and took a minute to answer.
« -Well, why not. I mean, I was younger than you when I began my training so I don't see any problem. But, do you think Father will agree ? » Arya seemed to be thoughtful about that, but Davos had a very logical anwser.
« -Well, you don't know it but I have a weak constitution since I was premature... I won't be able to learn Westerosi fighting style, but I might be able to manage the Braavosi one... And your mother is a famous water dancer ! I since Arya is a girl, she will not have a much muscle as a boy would when she grows up, so Braavosi style is better for her. And I think Father will be happy to see us spending time together. The only obstacle I see is Mother, she will want to protect me and to stop Arya because she's a girl. And I don't think she likes the idea of us spending time together. »
Davos stopped to talk when he became aware of the incredulous look on Yoren's face, who stared at him, speechless. It was Davos's turn to blush. Yoren turned toward Arya and was about to talk but she cut him short.
« -Yes, he's always like that. He's so clever. If you need advice or a analysis about anything or anyone, come to Davos, he will help you ! » She was grinning, glowing of pride for her youngest brother.
So was Maester Brumi. He was very pround and honored to have such a clever pupil ! Since Lord Gendry had to other sons, maybe he could convince him to send Davos to the Citadel... The boy had no gift when it came to weapons but when it came things of the mind... Well, he would make a brillant Maester ! If he ever master the art unknowed to him, the mysterious art of diplomacy. Davos was clever but harsh with his honesty... He told everything he had in mind...
The children kept on talking and doing assumptions about their plans. After more or less ten minutes, Maester Brumi sent Arya and Yoren away for he had still things to teach ! The children, wanting to be in his good books didn't argue. It was time to get back to work.
But this day was meant to be a unproductive one for Maester Brumi... for only a few moments later, a servant knocked to the door and said that Lord Gendry needed him as soon as possible in his solar. Sighing, he dissmissed Davos who ran to catch up his older sister and Yoren.
He climbed up the stairs that led to Lord Gendry's solar. Even before he opened the door, he knew why he was needed there because of the booming voice that could be heard. So, Ser Hillin was back from his commercial mission with the envoys of Braavos.
Now, Lord Gendry was good at answering to messages with a formal tone but his handwriting was still not very elegant. And Ser Hillin knew how to write but had trouble to manage proper sentences which could suit to a letter. So, Maester Brumi knew was was going to be his task for these men always needed his help at this point, if not sooner since they appreciated his advices.
Maester Brumi liked Ser Hillin for his loyalty to Lord Gendry and his gentleness towards Lady Tasha and the children. He always had a gift for them every time he was back from a misson. He was also glad Ser Hillin was Lord Gendry's right-hand man. He could be trusted. After all, the man was introducted to them by Lord Daavos Seaworth himself when he was called to King's Landing to be part of the small council. Ser Hillin was a old friend and protégé of Daavos and was like him a former smuggler...
In exchange for his help, loyalty and advices, Lord Gendry pardonned him and never regretted it ever since. The man was wise, cunning and seemed to know everybody in the Storm's land and in the rough area and ports of the Free Cities. Ser Hillin was younger than his friend Daavos and knew a thing or two about the art of fighting, he was a valuable asset.
But despite all of these qualities, Maester Brumi had a hard time every time he was around Ser Hillin... For the man was as discreet about his Lord's secret as he was noisy and voluble when he talked... But that's not the only thing that bothered Maester Brumi, no. He could cope with the noise even if he was extremely fond on his library's silence, but he felt his eyes melt every time he gazed upon Ser Hillin's beloved colourful silk of Lys... The man always chose gaudy, garish colors for his clothes... Maester Brumi was even wondering if the man was blind or just had an awful taste... Maybe he would take a look on Ser Hillin's eyes one day.
Mentally getting ready for Ser Hillin's clothes, he knocked and was allowed to enter. As he exepected, the two men were examining parchments on Lord Gendry's desk. Maester Brumi knew his Lord wouldn't give him orders about what he had to do for they had set up it long ago. He would take some notes about the matter at hand and come with several ideas about the anwser. But this time, he felt he had to say something first.
« -Hem, my Lord, if I may I would like to say a word before we begin to work. » Lord Gendry's eyesbrows went so high they disapeared in his fringe... Well, it was a first for Brumi to not obey immediately when his Lord needed him. He still was not sure about it but since Lord Gendry was silent, he went on.
« -Well, this morning, young Lady Arya and hem, your son Yoren came to the library. They had a chat with young Lord Davos. Apparently, your daughter convinced Yoren to teach her water dancing and so did Davos... » He didn't know what his Lord would think about it... he was expecting a lot of reactions but not this one ! Lord Gendry was laughing so much he had a begining of tears in his eyes...
« -Of course he's a water dancer, I should have known better. I don't know if my son can read but I can count on Arya to make sure he knows how to fight ! That's also why she gave him Needle, because he knows how to use it ! But weapons are not the most important thing, especially in time of peace. Did you prepare a study schedule for him yet ? » A bright smile was lingered on Lord Gendry's lips, like if he was living a memory. Maybe he saw Lady Arya Stark in their son, maybe he felt her presence through him.
« -I did, hem even if I will test him first, so we know where to focus our work. It will be done tomorrow morning my Lord. I have to say he didn't seem very enthusiactic about it... » The boy seemed to be unassuming, he should be easier to teach to than young Lord Robert...
« -Haha, this boy seems to be someone of interest. I heard you had him with Arya Stark, the legendary Dawn Bringer ! I would have never believed it if I wasn't absolutly sure of my source... »
« -Well, I don't care if he likes to study or not, that's mandatory under my roof. He'll thank me when he's older. Alright, now let's work. This parchment is about our trading aggrement with Braavos and this one is about the changes that have been brilliantly negociated by Ser Hillin. We need to write an answer to validate those changes and make them legal. »
Maester Brumi liked these situations, when his skills were needed. He felt in his element. After several hours of work, weighing every single word, they finished the letter. As he was going to withdraw, Maester Brumi heard Ser Hillin : « -Excuse me Maester. I would like to meet the boy, Yoren, is that it ? When do you think he will be free tomorrow morning ? »
« -Hem... I can not really say yet. I don't what kind of education his mother gave him, if she gave him any, of course. So, it would be better if you saw the boy in the afternoon. » Maester Brumi knew his voice was cold but he couldn't help it. He wooried about Yoren's presence in the castle, along Lord Gendry's children. Bastards are know to be the expression of their parents's sins and to be cursed since they are born outside of wedlock... What was Lord Gendry thinking when he took the boy in ? He could have sent him to Wtinerfell, Queen Sansa would have been surely pleased to meet her nephew, especially in her current situation...
Finally, Maester Brumi went downstairs, to his room, far away from Ser Hillin's red and yellow and purple tunic, for his poor eyes's relief.