Three hours later I was riding down the cobbler's road, followed by two dozen heavily armored members of my father's Household Guard. The road wasn't really called the cobbler's road, in fact like most roads in the Westerlands, it didn't really have a name, or more like fifty names. I called it the cobbler's road because that's what the good people from a village three miles ago called it. And they only called it that way because once every year, a caravan of cobblers came down the road, to cheer up their annual fleece market.

The Kingdom of the Rock was the richest of all the seven kingdoms, not only because of the fact that they held most of the gold, silver and iron mines in the realm, they also had white gold, sheep. The sheep of the Westerlands had the finest wool, and the other kingdoms paid a healthy price for it. That was the secret of the wealth of Castamere, even though the glooming hills didn't hold much ground for more farming than to support the local residents, it was perfect for animal breeding. And that's what they did, the finest sheep, horses and wardogs were bred in Castamere. Almost every lord wanted a castamerian as a pet, a wolflike dog that was originally bred for herding, but possessed very strong protective instinct for its owner. Except the nords of course, they wanted wolves. I heard my father say once he'd prefer to have a real live lion, but I assumed he was joking. It should be entertaining though.

I reflected on the events of this morning. I had been dobbed knight by my father, and had received my writs of nobility, acknowledging me and mine as the Baron of Castamereton from this day forth until the end of days. After that I had strapped on my suit of armor, a rather crude one, made for the messy battle of melee on a tournament, since I was not one to care for jousting. It was a simple suit, chainmail with a brown leather vest over it, with a metal plate sown in the vest. Steel shoulderplates protected my neck and shoulders, and kneecaps and wristband from the same metal protected my legs and forearms. My father had buckled my sword himself, as was customary when a knights was anointed.

"I'll have a new sword for you at Oxcross lad," my father had smiled, "One worthy of the mighty Baron of Castamereton. We'll talk about your banner as well then. But as for now, get on that horse. I've instructed Balon to give you two dozen of our finest. You should be safe along the road."

I chuckled at the memory as I patted the hilt of my sword. It was a fine tool, but it had seen better days. The problem with squire swords is that they us crude iron for it, because they don't have to be used that much or last long. So the blade was scarred, and darkened from overuse.

I looked to the man galloping beside me. Ser Toran was a Household Knight of my father. He also happened to be Balon's son, and mighty fine with the sword at his side. He did have a full knights gear, and a far prettier armor than me. I'd better do something about it, can't be looking like a hedgeknight when I want to impress the Lord of Tarbeck Hall.

Ser Toran caught me looking and seemed to guess what I was thinking about, because he said: "Don't worry my lord, we have packed a formal cloak of your father for you to wear when meeting with Lord Damion Tarbeck, and a Reyne tunic as well."

I smiled, "Good of you to consider such details, I don't think it would be wise to come as a beggar."

Ser Teran replied by saying, "His lordship your father said something similar, it was at his bidding we took it. Although we will have to be making a new one soon, when you have decided on your colors."

I was surprised by his commitment and the use of the word "we". "You seem to be putting a lot of thought in the colors I will have to wear, dear ser."

Teran laughed, "That is quite easily explained your lordship, I hope to wear them on my chest. Your father has assigned me to your guard because my father hopes you would consider my qualities as one of your Household Guardsmen."

For a moment I was taken aback. "I've been named a baron for less than four hours and father is already marshalling men for my Household Guard?"

"Your father is nothing if not a thorough man my lord."

"You can say that again." I looked at the road we were following. "Send two men forward, I want eyes on the road ahead. I don't feel like riding into an ambush." Ser Toran nodded and turned his horse to give commands to the soldiers behind us, leaving me time to think about the sigil I was to pick for my house. Since the castle of Castamereton had belonged to the ruling Reyne since it was built as an outpost to fence of outlaws from the rich lands of Castamere, there was no sigil linked to the keep, save for the red on silver lion of my family. I couldn't use the same sigil as my brother if I was a landed lord, I realised that. But a small part of me had always presumed to wear that symbol on my chest, as I served as master-at-arms or something of the sort for my brother.

The thought of having to create my own sigil, a symbol for a new family, was rather terrifying. I had no desire to take the high lordship f my brother, but at the same time I had always expected to be one of the Reynes of Castamere my entire life. Having my own Barony made me such a Reyne no more. I had founded one of the lesser branches by receiving a Barony, a branch that would no longer raise just the red-silver banners, but was in need of a different cat of arms as well. Because I would be damned before I'd let my family down. The Reynes of Castamereton would earn their place next to those of Castamere.

The scouts were sent ahead and returned to us at the fall of night. "Did you find a nice spot to set up camp?" I asked, as they joined me in front of the group.

"Yes Lord Robert, a mile or so ahead we came across a small bush that will shelter us for the night. We scouted to place for bandits, but found no trace of their presence."

"Good," I answered, "Show the way, I am famished and would like to set up shop."

We rode quickly to the camp site, and after enjoying a simple meal, we spent the night. The following morning we arose with the coming of the sun. Ser Toran adressed me after we broke our fast.

"My lord, I suggest you put on the ceremonial cloak we took along. We will be arriving at Tarbeck Hall in a matter of a few hours."

I looked down on my armor and had to agree with him. "You don't happen to have an extra fighting tunic in there as well, would you?"

Ser Toran nodded, "Yes my lord, although I am afraid I only have a black one."

"It will have to do. Let's just hope they do not mistake me for a sworn brother."

Half an hour later we were well on our way. We passed several villages in a wild gallop, because we hadn't ridden enough miles on our first day, and we needed to make up time. After two hours we came across a band of cobblers, and I decided to make a stop and give the horses time to catch their breath, while we looked through their trinkets. My eyes came across a small box and an old flag, that were not placed in full sight, but had caught my eye somehow.

When I saw the flag, it almost felt like fate. It was an old one, a green flag, with a silver lion rampant on it. I got an idea when I looked on it, and bargained it for a rather cheap price.

I took my valued objects to the side of the road, took of my tunic and opened the box. There were sewing tools in it. The lads kept on bargaining for another hour, and meanwhile I kept on working. After the hour Toran prodded me that we really needed to make up lost time, but I dismissed him, saying I had to finish first.

Four hours after the cobblers we finally saw the towers of Tarbeck Hall, and I took the black cloth I had been working on the entire time and donned it. Even though it wasn't perfect, I was rather pleased with the result of my sigil, embroided on the tunic. I knew the Tarbeck would be as well. I knew my father would be even more pleased.

As we neared the gates, we were stopped by guards. They looked to the flags, and then to my sigil. "Those two do not seem to match my lord. Who are you?" The captain of the guard asked.

I gave my most diplomatic smile and said: "I am Robert Reyne, Baron of Castamereton, first of my name." I handed him the papers my father had given me. He took them and looked.

"Everything seems to be in order Lord Robert. Interesting sigil."

The captain clearly was better educated than was usual for a captain. I enjoyed the fact he noticed the sigil and its meaning, knowing that the Tarbecks would also notice. "Thank you captain. Could you take care of the horses, I need to talk to Lord Damion." I got of my horse and handed it to a stableboy.

"I am afraid Lord Damion is indisposed. He has caught a nasty fever my lord. But Lady Jenna will help you gladly, I'll send a guard to take you to her."

Ser Toran walked towards me, to follow to the Lady Jenna no doubt. "Pardon me ser," the captain said, "I would ask you not to go with your lord, but follow the rest of the soldiers to the mass hall. The Lady herself is keen on rest in the keep, to spare my lord Damion as much as possible."

Ser Toran wanted to refuse the captains question, but I quickly interceded. "It's quite all right ser Toran, follow the men, I will meet up with you after the meeting."

Toran looked displeased, but bowed his head and moved along. A guard appeared, "My lord? Could you follow me?"

"Of course, lead the way." I said, as I turned to follow him, on my way for the meeting of which I knew would change my life, for better or worse was yet to be seen.

A/N Possibly a more dull chapter, but necessary. The events in the next chapter will make sure the story gets a lot more interesting. Read and Review please!