Byran I
The Winter Rose rose and fell gently as it tugged against the mooring that attached it to the ports that sat a few miles away from Storm's End well away from Shipbreaker Bay. The ship had been Entan's for less than a year, but the ship felt like him, his friend had cared for every little detail he had even gone as far as to purchase white riggings to as he put it 'contrast the black hull'. No one was exactly sure how Entan had gained possession of the small war galley, it was a queer piece of work inspired by the swan ships of the summer isles, and every crew member had a different story on how it came into his possession. They ranged from the mundane of finding it abandoned, the crew all dead on a small isle in the narrow sea, the stories also went to the truly ridiculous, one cook told everyone that Entan had charmed the Merling King that at the end of a night of drinking and gallivanting he shaped the ship out of a mountain just for his new companion. Byran had once asked Entan directly, the slight man laughed in his gentle way and told him the story was boring it was best if the men built it up in their hearts, and when pressed he had shrugged, and said that it was payment for a secret. Looking at the ship now it must've been an incredible secret to justify paying with the sleek black and gold of the hull, or the ruby rose carved into the wheel, or the beautiful metal work of the elaborately designed moon that was the figurehead. Byran let out a small sigh as he turned to his small, practical ship as it sat next to the decadence of The Winter Rose, Crab Claw looked a mere trading vessel, but the smile infected his face as he considered his beleaguered ship his thoughts moved to his beloved uncle. What Crab Claw lacked in charms it more than made up for in reliability it had served house Celtigar for more than 30 years, and Byran was proud that his father had allowed him the ship, even if it was only because his father thought it was unworthy of his older brother. He was dragged out of his thoughts by an arm thrown over his arm; he could almost feel his friends smile before he saw it.
"No need to get down about it, the Crab Claw is a strong piece of work, I love my Rose, but I could see myself at the helm of that speedy little beast." Byran smiled Entan really could see into his mind, but he supposed he could see more of Entan's mind than anybody else.
"Your words are kind, but let's not mince words The Rose looks like a ship of legend, every time I look at it I half expect Durran Godsgrief to be shouting commands to the crew." The laugh was light-hearted, and seemed to say 'you have the right of it'. Byran thought about the two of them a bastard, and a second son about to go and meet the storm lord himself from a house of bastards, this world seemed queerer everyday. "Perhaps it has to do with Dorne I've heard word of peasant uprisings plaguing the major cities."
"Maybe." Entan seemed unconvinced. "Although even if it is, it won't be what you're thinking of. Sailors say that the Yronwoods are pushing out any non-Dornish out of the land. If Aegon has any say we will try, and take it from them, he is still a hungry dragon." Entan laughed loudly and released the arm from his shoulder. "No point in wondering we will know soon, anyway I have a feeling that whatever happens here will be very," Pausing for effect Entan turned to meet him eye for eye. "Entertaining." Entan turned away, and headed for the stairs whistling tunelessly; as he passed one of the stalls he tossed the merchant and grabbed a fresh apple off the rows. The merchant paled as he looked at the solid gold, and shouted thanks after the disappearing back of the young man. Byran had to half run to keep up, even though Entan wasn't particularly tall he was deceptively quick.
"There is something that has been bothering me." Entan took a bite and began walking backwards. "Why didn't he send ravens they would have found us much faster, it mustn't be very important." Entan left the apple in his mouth and studied the sky thoughtfully; the juice of the apple began to drip down his chin.
"Or it's very important you know the stories ravens can be shot down, they say Dondarrions were raised to lords for delivering a message." Entan made the motions of a pretend bow and arrow, the apple that was supposed to be the arrow made the sight more comical than anything. Byran saw the man just before Entan walked squarely into, but he had no idea when the man's steel leapt to his hand. The man was heavily armored and Entan who looked a mere boy next to the imposing figure of the guard, he and Byran saw the seahorse clasp at the same time. "My lord I see you are in the service of the Velaryons, I meant no offense and we are on the same side here, I myself am in the service of the Dracrhys let us shed no blood on these dirty streets." Entan went to far when he laughed, at least that's what it seemed to Byran, the grey guard grunted and spit.
"The others take your loyalty you are a boy in need of a lesson, a summer child." The blade did not dip an inch, but when he saw Entan tense Byran pulled his own blade in a swift motion.
"The others are gone, but I see now the lie behind your house words, you certainly seem old but you don't seem to be particularly brave or true." Entan's smile was a thin line across his face and Byran knew he was keeping the anger below a few layers of stone. The laughter sounded so close to Entans it made Byran glance away from the grey man to the smiling face that was known the world. Byran quickly sheathed the sword; he tried to hide the slight tremble that had taken his hands.
"Lord Aurane what a pleasure it is to meet you, I wish that I had time to change these sea clothes leaves me ragged." Byran thought of every nicety he could summon as he approached the older man, he might as well have been a god Byran thought. Araune smiled brightly and grasped his outreached arm.
"You have the look of a Celtigar, perhaps the younger Byran. I will of course forgive your apparel; they say you walk steadier on a heaving sea than on land." Araune let out another laugh, Byran was able to manage a smile but not much more.
"Unfortunately my older brother is in King's Landing, I am loathe to ask of you something on this first meeting; however your guard seems to be threatening my friend." Aurane's smile widened slightly as he turned to his guardsmen.
"Garrell does this young man speak true?" Aurane stepped between the guard and Entan; they only had eyes for each other however. The sword vanished seemingly faster than it appeared.
"I apologize for my actions, this pup ran into me, and had the gall to talk to me like I was another commoner." The old man chewed on each word with a bitter expression, Entan glared daring the guard to try something, to let their swords speak truly. Aurane glanced at the boy then back to his man.
"Unfortunately for all of us, the boy behind me is no mere commoner." Aurane turned to Entan with laughter on his lips. "The wraith of the narrow sea, Entan Waters. As hard as it seems to believe this is the 8 foot, half-kraken, apparently he is twice as clever as Lann, twice as strong as old king Robert, and more proud than all the Dornish men combined." If Garrell was impressed he did not show it, Entan for his part curtsied with an imaginary dress.
"My lord the stories are rarely true in my experience, however if the great Aurane Velaryon recognizes me than in this moment, there is not a man alive that can match my pride. Except perhaps yourself." When they laughed it sounded like a gust coming through a clearing in the trees, Byran supposed they could be father and son they looked so similar. For not the first time wondered if Entan was the bastard of Aegon, they were so far apart in appearance and attitude it always seemed an odd fit.
"I may not be a bastard anymore, but there are days where I miss the freedom that comes with that particular title." Aurane looked Entan up and down, and then glanced at Byran. "Well if none of the stories are true, you know how to pick friends, perhaps the best talent a man can have." Byran felt his lips curl, his normal smile was particularly ugly and had learned from an early age to keep his joy manageable, but Aurane had a way of putting people at ease that reminded him for the second time in the day of uncle Nithan.
"Well my lord I don't know if this will hold any value to you, but I would like to offer my friendship and not to speak for my friend but I'm sure Byran offers the same. Who knows what we three will be able to accomplish." Entan's smile was truly dazzling.