Weiss

For the following six years after the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion, and since Rosamund's birth, Weiss remained undefeated in the training yard. It wasn't due to a lack of trying on behalf of the other squires and lordlings, Weiss was simply just better than them. Despite their best efforts, including attacking her a few at a time, Weiss would always triumph over them. Sure, she didn't show them that they were getting closer and closer each time, she had her pride after all, but they were learning, and fast. Water dancing, as the people of this world called fencing, was a style that many Westerosi knights knew little of, and when combined with other elements from Weiss' training in her past life, made her rather unpredictable. Add in her aura, and all of that allowed Weiss to remain undefeated in the ring, much to the annoyance of the older squires and more than a few knights.

Still, that meant it did get boring after a while, so Weiss started to think of it as exercise instead of actual combat training. Was that arrogant? Perhaps, but it wasn't her fault nobody here was able to give her a real challenge. It made Weiss want to duel Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan even more, once she was a bit older and taller. Or at least someone who had some skill with the blade, but she was in a difficult place. Now thirteen years old, Weiss had grown taller and stronger, with help from her aura of course. Ensuring that her body was in tip-top shape took a lot of work, and food that she paid off a few kitchen maids to provide more of.

The white haired girl danced around Robert Brax, who was still serving as her Father's squire. The Brax boy had gotten taller, and more muscular while working for her father, wearing heavy padded armor that protected his chest, neck, and head. In contrast, Weiss wore a simple leather jerkin that was dyed red, with trousers that caused a scandal whenever she walked around in them and not a dress. She didn't care, she was a Lion, and more to the point, they were far more comfortable to walk in since mini-dresses didn't exist here. Her quick footsteps allowed her to avoid a downward strike from the slightly older boy, to the groaning of his supporters. That caused Rosamund to cheer even louder from her spot beside Alis, who stood several feet away with the other observers.

"Weiss!" Rosamund cheered loudly, her golden hair framing her beautiful face like a portrait. Ser Janas, Ser Robart, and Cedric stood close by. Ser Janas, the old Master-at-Arms, wasn't paying attention, already knowing how the match was going to end while Ser Robart and Cedric were engrossed in some conversation, likely about redheads. Going from some of the gestures they were doing, it most probably was.

Flashing her younger sister a toothy smile, Weiss angled her head to the side, casually avoiding another strike. The other squires and knights had started to refuse spars against her, embarrassed that a little girl had been beating them since she was seven. To be fair, there was no real way to get around it. Winning meant beating up a girl, which was against their chivalrous code and would get her Father irate at them. Losing meant well, they would wound up as Lorch. There was no winning move for them.

"You're getting better, Robert." It was true, he was getting better, as were the rest of the squires. At least, those that actually tried to fight her. Weiss was now forced to train with the guards, often three or four at the same time, to give her a decent challenge. They were a bit better, having more experience and a willingness to pull out tricks when need be, but still not sufficient. "But it's still not enough."

Weiss swung her wooden sword upwards, blocking another strike, before using Robert's momentum to send him to the ground and dodging to the side. He sprawled on the ground panting, as he tried to push himself to his feet, before stopping, unable to muster the strength. Weiss had run laps around him to get Robert to tire himself out.

"Oomph." The Squire groaned in defeat. Rosamund cheered even harder while Alis clapped politely. Septa Loria was likely not too far away, and would scowl her should she catch Alis cheering like Rosamund. Apparently it was improper for a lady to show outright joy at anything uncouth like this.

"A fine match." Ser Janas said, his voice old and gravely. He had been the Master-at-Arms since before Weiss had even been born. The old knight always said the same thing after Weiss won a match, so it was just more empty praise.

"You almost had me a few times there, Brax." Weiss lied easily as she offered the boy a hand. While he was coming closer, he wasn't close enough. Still, it would be impolite to crush his hopes, especially when he was trying so hard.

"Really?" Robert removed his padded helmet, revealing his flushed, red cheeks. He grinned, either glad knowing he was getting close, or he just liked spending time around her. She wasn't certain. Still, she could appreciate having at least one semi-good foe to face in the ring.

Weiss nodded as he took her hand and she helped him to his feet. It was easy to be gracious to a defeated foe, and he had fought well. "Here and there."

The knights and nobles of Lannisport had gotten used to her unnatural strength, with the septons preaching to each corner of the Westerlands about the blessed White Lioness. Even if her fights weren't public, visiting knights always did their best to spread rumors and tall tales. Few rumors would likely leave the Westerlands, or wouldn't be easily believed by those outside of her home Kingdom. After all, Weiss was a simple Lannister of Lannisport, and she hadn't fought in any tourneys, publicly showing off her skills, and her duels had been limited to sparring rings with tight audiences. Soon, once Weiss was tall enough to pass as a mystery knight, she might try and sneak into a tourney. A voice in her head that sounded distinctly like Yang questioned if she ever would grow tall enough to do that and actually blend in. Her height and fighting style would easily give her away if she tried it now.

The two of them made their way back to the gathered nobles. Rosamund continued to flash her a toothy grin, which Weiss returned with a smile.

She was content with her life, even if it did feel empty at times. Much like back in Atlas, all the money in the world couldn't fill the gap in her heart. Though, at least here, she had a truly loving family. Not just an older sister who cared for her and a variety of people she was related to by blood.

"As skilled as always, Lady Weiss." Alis said with a slight bow of her head. Alysanne was visiting the Golden Tooth, leaving the Peckledon girl as Weiss' lone handmaiden until the Lefford girl's return. "And you as well, Robert."

"Thank you." Weiss said politely as Rosamund hugged one of her legs. She turned her gaze to Cedric, who tried looking away. The knight of House Payne was a lazy man, despite her best efforts. Weiss was going to whip him into shape, as her sworn sword, he was a reflection of herself. If he embarrassed himself in combat, he would embarrass Weiss as well. She would turn him into a decent swordsman, by force if necessary. "You're up next, Ser Cedric."

The Payne's cheeks flushed as he slowly departed from Ser Robart's side with a frown. "As you command, my Lady."

He lost, naturally.

Cedric Payne

Being a household knight was more difficult than Cedric had ever imagined. For all the talk and dreams your typical Hedge knight had about being in a household, the reality was far different from it. Being the sworn sword of Weiss Lannister likely only made it worse. Cedric had expected to stand around and look menacingly when needed, not waking up at dawn to swing wooden and blunted steel swords in the training yard. Worse was he was skeptical that she even needed a sellsword, given how she threw around squires in the yard, and himself on occasion.

Any spars against Lady Weiss resulted in dark bruises, and humiliation for the grown men and young boys that lost. Mind, the mocking usually came from those who hadn't faced her. Those that did, offered commiseration and tips. At this rate, they would likely just try attacking her all at once, he mused. Even then, she would likely win with not even a scratch or bruise, though he had some doubts.

At least the Lannister's paid well, and provided him with a room within the Gold Keep. Yet, he felt uncomfortable in the room. The bed was too soft, compared to his sleeping roll and the hard ground he was used to. Though he told himself that he had issues falling asleep because the bed was too soft, not because he felt guilty over his cuz's death. And Pod's snores always kept him awake most nights, who was the spitting image of his Father. His Mother, that whore Rod married, left him in Cedric's care and ran off with some singer.

Cedric was uncertain how he should feel about Pod. On one hand, his existence meant he and his cuz had been forced to risk their lives to get a decent house to support them. On the other hand, was it truly fair to blame a babe for the sins of his parents? That and he missed Rod, in a strange sort of way.

Lord Dramen was kind enough to allow Podrick to stay within the Gold Keep, even if Cedric had to share his room with his relative. He didn't mind, maids were interested in cooing at the baby, and had no issues leaving him in his room while he visited theirs, so it worked out quite nicely. The young knight of House Payne sighed as he dismounted from Lemonhead. He wore a fine black doublet with a red cape, attached by a lion brooch with sapphires for eyes on one side, and one with the sigil of House Payne on the other. Cedric looked up at the building that laid before him.

This was the third manse he'd been looking at in Lannisport, now that he could finally afford one. While he didn't mind having room and board in the Gold Keep, sometimes a man wanted to start a family, and that meant he had to have a proper home to offer his would-be wife.

"Is it to your liking, Good-Ser?" The merchant accompanying him asked. A 'realtor', as Lady Weiss called the older man with a pointed beard. They were merchants that sold properties and houses within Lannisport, one of Lady Weiss' finest ideas in improving the city. As she had explained it, having a class of merchants selling houses allowed nobles and other people to maintain their dignity while also keeping lists of who owned what property. The other being the Penny Tax, often called the White Tax behind his Lady's back. Every inhabitant of Lannisport was to pay a penny every fortnight, which would pay a portion of the City Watch dedicated to putting out fires. Surprisingly, that was one of the few taxes that was actually popular among all parties.

It wasn't as complicated as it sounded, but Cedric had fallen asleep when Lady presented her ideas to Lord Dramen, so he didn't know the minor details. Still, it sounded good to him at least, but what did he know?

"It seems well-built, from the outside at least." Cedric didn't know much about houses or manses. He had only been able to save this much coin since he no longer had to worry about lodges and food. Still, unlike the last house, this one didn't reek of fish, which was a positive to him.

"It was built after the Raid, Good-Ser, I assure you that it's one of the finest manses in Lannisport. Casterly Rock can even be seen from its top floor!" Casterly Rock was visible from every point in Lannisport, so that was useless, while being technically true no less.

"Show me the interior, and then I'll decide." Cedric sighed. The Realtor, he still had no idea what that meant, led onwards, with Cedric following closely behind, inspecting the manse. Looking around, he could admit, it was a nice house. Well-built, good walls, it even was nicely situated in the city. There were far worse places, and given his coin, this was a steal.

"H-House in Lannisport, together." Rod's glassy eyes stared into Cedric's soul.

Cedric shook the memory out of his head. "I'll take it." At least Rod's dream would come true, in death.

A/N

Sorry this took so long to come out! Life kept getting in the way, storms, comic-con and health issues.

If all goes well chapters should start being released regularly again.

Enjoy the following art I commissioned from Innertia on discord! bvvn1 is her username if you wish to commission her.FFN readers will have to find it on Space Battles/Sufficient Velocity/AO3