While Yarrow loved green, they were dressing in house colours as all of them. Green could be seen as statement of support for the Tyrell and cause friction. It was for the same reason they swore to never wear red and gold to an public event.

House Florent was among the richest houses and it showed. Flower garlands decorate the hall, the smell of fresh food waved from the kitchen and the wine, arbor red and gold was already open. Yarrow tugged at the sleeves of his doublet, Eldana made sure her hair sat well and Briar readjusted her hairpins. They were greeted and brought into the hall, Melara greeted her sister warmly, Yarrow and Briar did all the expected curtsies and niceties with the Lords and Lady and their children.

Eldana was seated next to her sister, her daughter Melessa and Randyll Tarly. Samwell, just three years old, was apparently left at home. Rhea wasn't in attendance. She had married Leyton Hightower just a year ago. The Florents were likely regretting that now, with her being a fourth wife when she could have been the wife of a prince. Instead Selyse would marry Stannis. She was twenty years old and had inherited the height of her Oakheart mother. Delena, her younger cousin, was a maid of seventeen. She was also blonde.

The Florents were not subtile in their intentions. Uncle Andrew was swarmed by available woman like food left outside by wasps. Good. Now he'd only need to take a liking to Delena and ask his brother for permission. Hah. If all dreams came true …

Yarrow was placed between Erren and Omer Florent, both them looked to be of his age. Erren had curly brown hair and hazel eyes. He would grow up to be handsome, if one looked at his brother. Imry Florent was a handsome man, a young knight, with broad shoulders and dark eyes. Like obsidian – no, black bloodstone. He was already bragging about following his sister into royal service. His brother and cousin rolled their eyes at him.

Lamb baked in garlic and herbs, baked trout, boiled eggs, olives filled with cheese and a dish of beans and peas were only few among the offered food. Omer leaned closer to them. "Aunt Melara told me you like to read. Have you read the Jade Compendium?"

"Oh – Yes I have." a pause "You have a fondness for foreign lands?"

"I find the stories of Asshai and Qarth rather fascinating. I dream of seeing those lands with my own eyes-", the boy sighed, "I do hope uncle allows me to become a maester."

"Should there be any reason not to?" The boy was not in line to inherit anything. He was what, the son of a fourth or fifth son? Nah. He was better off as maester.

"He wants me to become a knight." Omer rolled his eyes. "A Florent Longhorn. I don't want to end up like Willas Tyrell."

Yarrow twitched. Should they have tried to prevent it?

Slowly they breathed in and out. Focus.

"Yes . . wouldn't want that. So – Asshai?"

"You want to hear more?", the boy blinked in surprise, then smiled. "I have a dragonglass and amber necklace from Asshai. "

"Not here." Omer tugged him away. It was easy the blend into the shadows of the crowd. "The magics, have you heard what they can do? Barely whispers."

"Magic?" Yarrow grinned. They knew about magic. "I have heard of shadowbinders and bloodmages. To heal and kill with just a drop of blood or so they say."

"I have heard a steep price must be paid for the teaching and the doing. I don't think I could do it. The Faith says blood magic is evil and will corrupt you. Could you?"

Whether it was kingsblood, human or animal sacrifice, shade of the evening – Magic had its demands. Three deaths for three dragons. A sword lit with blood. A harvest paid with death.

He considered it. "I don't know."

It was a good answer, to Yarrow. Could ever know the limit of what you would do until you stood at the line and either choose the step over it or turn around?

Omer asked him what he thought about the tales of Garth Greenhand demanding blood sacrifices. "It makes sense, don't it? A great deal of actions can be done by blood magic and giving a good harvest does not sound so out of reason."

Omer agreed. The singers started with a merry song and the guest got up to dance. Andrew danced with his cousins and the Florent girls, Yarrow with Briar and his younger relatives.

Eventually the reverie was over for the children. Omer promised him to show him the library in the morning.

It was good to be home. Elowyn kissed her husband, hugged her children and her brother. "Did you escape unmarried?"

Andrew laughed. "Yes. No maiden fell for my irresistible charm."

Yarrow suppresed a sigh at that. No matter how often they pushed Delena and Andrew together, neither of them held much interest in the other. Lord Florent seemed interested but Andrew had casually reminded everyone he was his own man and not his brothers.

"Tell me all about the feast, little brother!" She dragged him and her husband inside after telling her children to catch up.

Yarrow and Aspen went down through the godswood and towards the shore. On a nice big stone they sat down and looked over the lake. A black swan swam before them. Yarrow nudged Aspen and pointed at it. They smiled.

"Truly beautiful."

They watched the swan and a pair of geese, then a duck and a raven flew overhead.

"So – how was it really?"

Aspen shrugged. "It was alright."

"Just alright?"

"You just need to know everything, don't you?" He closed his eyes for a moment. "Lord Tyrell talked with father about tourneys and food. Lady Olenna tried to get father to foster you and when he said you were with Uncle, she tried me. Father didn't agree to anything and I don't want to leave -" He stopped. "Well. Boring adult conversations."

"You love listening to boring adult conversations."

Aspen snorted. "And Willas is nice, Garlan is also nice, but he is nine." He sighed. "You'd like Willas. He's pretty, he likes books and stars and songs and likes his little siblings."

"That is good to hear?"

Aspen leaned against them. "What about you? What adventure did you have? Which striking knight did you meet?"

Yarrow blushed and playfully protested. "I don't know what you are talking about! - I talked with Omer Florent about Asshai and magic. He said he would write me letters if his uncle allowed it. I let Eldana and Andrew talk with the adults."

Aspen looked sad. He stared at the lake like it held all secrets of the world. Yarrow hugged him. "What is going on?"

"Do you think Briar will be alright?" His voice was quiet and full of worry. It made their heart melt.

"She is a strong young woman. You know she can protect herself, and they are our family - they won't hurt her." Yarrow was not sure if they believed their own words.

Their brother hummed. "I hope they have frogs there."